Plan 2
VRS
Virginia Retirement System Plan 2
Handbook for Members
PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR...
retirement
benefits
resources
Plan 2
VRS
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Plan 2
Handbook for Members
You are in Plan 2 if your membership date is before July 1, 2010,
and you were not vested (you had fewer than five years of creditable service) as
of January 1, 2013, or your membership date is on or after July 1, 2010.
C ON TAC T V R S
Website: www.varetire.org
Toll-free: 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847)
TDD: 804-289-5919
Email: [email protected]. Important email notice: Do not send personal or
confidential information, such as your Social Security number, by email. VRS will
send only non-confidential replies.
VRS Retirement Counseling Center:
1111 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
VRS Administrative Offices:
1200 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2500, Richmond, VA 23218-2500
VRS Mission:
VRS delivers retirement and other benefits to Virginia public employees
through sound financial stewardship and superior customer service.
Note: The information contained in this document is governed by Title 51.1
of the Code of Virginia. This information is intended to be general. It cannot
be complete in all details and cannot supersede or restrict the authority
granted by the Code of Virginia, which may be amended from time to time.
Quick reference
Benefit Information and Planning Resources
VRS Website at www.varetire.org
• myVRS, a secure online system providing information from your member record and retirement planning
• Benefit information, forms and publications, including the Handbook for Members
• Free member education about your benefits, money matters and retirement planning as well as the
Commonwealth’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, if your employer participates in the plan
VRS Retirement Counseling
• Talk with a counselor about your retirement options, applying for retirement and retiree benefits.
Walk-in counseling is available on a first-come first-served basis. Limited scheduled appointments also
are available; call VRS toll-free at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847) for more information. Counseling hours
are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Go to www.varetire.org for directions and parking information.
Key Contacts
• American Association of Retired Persons: 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277); www.aarp.org
• Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield (State Employees): 1-800-552-2682; www.anthem.com/cova
• Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan: 1-VRS-DC-PLAN1 (1-877-327-5261);
www.varetire.org (select the Defined Contribution Plans tab)
• Group Life Insurance Program: Minnesota Life, 1-800-441-2258
• Internal Revenue Service: 1-800-829-1040; www.irs.gov
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); www.medicare.gov
• Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213; www.socialsecurity.gov
• Virginia Division for the Aging: 1-800-552-3402; www.vda.virginia.gov
• Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (State Employees): www.dhrm.virginia.gov
• Virginia Department of Taxation: 804-367-8031; www.tax.virginia.gov
• Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP) (State Employees): Reed Group, 1-877-928-7021;
www.reedgroup.com/vsdp-claims
• VSDP Long-Term Care Plan (State Employees): Long Term Care Group, Inc., 1-800-761-4057
• Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission: 1-877-664-2566; www.vwc.state.va.us
Table of Contents
Page
4
5
6
8
10
Page
8. Long-Term Care Programs VSDP Long-Term Care Plan (State Employees)
49
9. Death-in-Service Benefits What Is a Death-in-Service Benefit? Non-Work-Related Cause of Death Work-Related Cause of Death 51
51
52
2. Your Retirement Plan Eligible Employees About Your Plan Qualifying for Retirement Benefit Payout Options
11
12
13
13
10. Leaving Employment Options if You Leave Your Job
Impact on Benefit Coverage Severance Benefits
54
56
58
3. Saving for Retirement
Deferred Compensation Plan
Allowable Contribution Amounts Consolidating Your Retirement Funds Deferred Compensation Plan Resources
19
20
21
21
11. Getting Ready to Retire
Retirement Readiness Resources Applying for Retirement Deferring Retirement
Retirement Readiness Checklist 59
60
62
63
4. Enhancing Your Benefit Purchase of Prior Service Types and Purchase Amounts of Prior Service Cost Windows Applying to Purchase Prior Service Payment Methods
22
23
25
26
27
5. Group Life Insurance Program Basic Group Natural and Accidental Death,
Dismemberment and Other Life Insurance Benefits
Designating a Beneficiary Optional Group Life Insurance Program
12. Receiving Retirement and Deferred Compensation
Plan Payments Direct Deposit Taxes Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) Social Security If You Divorce Deferred Compensation Plan Options
64
64
65
67
67
67
29
30
32
6. Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
(State Employees)
Income Protection for Non-Work-Related
and Work-Related Disabilities
Sick, Family and Personal Leave Short-Term Disability Coverage Long-Term Disability Coverage Coordination With Other Benefits How to File a Claim 13. Insurance in Retirement Group Life Insurance Retiree Health Insurance (State Employees)
Health Insurance Credit Long-Term Care Coverage
69
71
72
74
34
35
36
37
38
39
14. Working After Retirement Non-Covered Employment K-12 Critical Shortage Positions Returning to Covered Employment Retiring Again 75
76
76
78
15. Frequently Used Terms 79
7. Retiring on Disability Eligibility Medical Review Non-Work-Related Disability Retirement Benefit
Work-Related Disability Retirement Benefit
Benefit Payout Options
Applying for Disability Retirement After You Retire on Disability 40
41
41
42
44
45
47
3 | VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
1. Welcome to VRS
Preparing for Your Future
You and Your Partners
myVRS: Helping You Plan for Tomorrow, Today
What to do if I...
About VRS 1
Welcome to VRS
Preparing for Your Future • You and Your Partners • myVRS: Helping
You Plan for Tomorrow, Today • What to do if I…? • About VRS
Preparing for Your Future
As a member of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), you have a tremendous
opportunity to lay the foundation for your future retirement needs. Your partners
are your employer and VRS.
In practical terms, preparing for retirement is about having enough income to
live comfortably after you retire. Most financial planning experts recommend 80
percent of your current earnings as a retirement income target. The components are:
• Your monthly VRS retirement benefit;
• Social Security; and
• Savings you put aside for your future. That means not only saving for
retirement but also staying on track toward your retirement income target
by increasing the amount you save during your active career.
As a member of VRS, you also have other benefit coverage to protect you and
your loved ones, including:
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• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• Long-term care benefits
• Benefit for your beneficiary or survivor if you die while
you are an active member
The Virginia Retirement System Handbook for Members explains how these
benefits support you while you are working and after you retire. It also describes
the member resources available to help you get started on planning ahead.
You and Your Partners
You
You can start saving for the future from the first day of employment through
the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan if you are
eligible, a 403(b) plan or another supplemental retirement plan if offered by your
employer. You or your employer (on your behalf) also contributes 5 percent
of your creditable compensation each month toward your future monthly
retirement benefit.
What Are Free, Convenient
and Help You Plan a
Successful Future?
Whether you were just hired
or are getting ready to retire,
you can take advantage of
Your Employer
• One of the most important roles your employer plays is participating in Social
free educational opportunities
on everything from your
benefits and money matters
to retirement planning. Topics
are offered through a variety of
online and on-site educational
mediums. Schedules and online
Security and contributing to Social Security on your behalf. In addition,
without this participation, your employer would not be eligible to participate
in VRS.
registration are available
• Your employer funds your retirement benefit by making a separate contribution
the Members homepage.
to VRS. VRS invests these contributions to provide benefits for future retirees.
• If you participate in the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan, your employer may
match a portion of your contributions through the Virginia Cash Match Plan.
• Your employer pays toward other coverage that protects you and your loved
ones while you are employed and after you retire.
at www.varetire.org; select
Education & Counseling from
If your employer participates in
the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan,
also sign up for the Deferred
Compensation Plan Regional
Education Meetings to learn
more about planning for your
VRS
financial future, managing
• VRS administers and pays your monthly benefit after you retire. VRS also
your plan and distribution
assists your loved ones in obtaining benefits for which they may be eligible
upon your death.
• VRS manages the investment of contributions. This is critically important:
two-thirds of the average VRS retirement benefit is funded by investment
earnings. The VRS fund can be used only on behalf of our members, retirees
and beneficiaries.
strategies. For more
information, select the Defined
Contribution Plans tab from
www.varetire.org and then
Commonwealth of Virginia
Deferred Compensation
Plan (457).
5 | CH 1 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
While you are an active employee, take time to learn more about your benefits by
referring to your member handbook, looking up information on the VRS website
at www.varetire.org and taking advantage of member education opportunities (see
right column).
myVRS: Helping You Plan for Tomorrow, Today
As a member of VRS, you have access to myVRS, one of your most important
retirement planning resources. This secure, online system helps you prepare
for your future. It provides up-to-date benefit information based on your VRS
member record.
Key Features
Retirement Planner and Benefit Estimator
Note
The estimates and plans you
create through the myVRS
Retirement Planner and myVRS
Benefit Estimator are for
your planning purposes only.
They are based on your
current member record, the
information you enter and
the policies in effect at the
time you create them. The
results may not reflect your
actual retirement benefit
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amount or income and
expenses in retirement.
Through the Retirement Planner, you can create VRS retirement benefit estimates
based on different retirement dates or payout options, to see which will best meet
your needs and those of your family when you retire. You can then select a benefit
scenario to enter in the Retirement Planner, along with other sources of income
and expenses, including income taxes, health insurance and living expenses. The
result will help you project your income and expenses in retirement.
In addition, you can view your life insurance balance, purchase of prior service
history and employment history and can update your contact information. Upon
leaving employment, you can apply for a refund online and track its progress
through your myVRS account.
If you participate in a deferred compensation plan, you also can view your account
balance to see whether you need to increase your contributions to stay on target
toward your future retirement income.
Member Benefit Profile
Through myVRS, you can view your Member Benefit Profile (MBP). This is your
annual online benefits statement based on information your employer reports
to VRS through June 30 of each year. The MBP shows your earliest retirement
eligibility dates, estimated benefit amounts and member contribution account
balance, among other information from your member record.
If you are eligible to participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred
Compensation Plan, your MBP also shows a total retirement income estimate
combining your unreduced benefit estimate, a Social Security estimate and an
estimated annuity from your deferred compensation plan, if applicable. You can
measure this estimate against a retirement income target of 80 percent of your
creditable compensation.
Print a copy of your MBP to share with your family. If you have a financial
advisor, he or she will find your MBP to be a helpful planning document.
Creating Your myVRS Member Online Account
To set up your account, select myVRS from www.varetire.org and then Members-Register,
and follow the simple step-by-step instructions.
Each time you log into your myVRS member account, you come to your account home
page. From the right column, you can select links to other information in your member
record and to your MBP. From the top tabs, you can navigate to your History, the Benefit
Estimator and the Retirement Planner.
Security and Privacy
VRS is committed to protecting the security and privacy of your information. Before you
are allowed access to your information, your identity is authenticated through the online
account creation process. You set up your own username and password, which you use
each time you log into myVRS.
Randomly generated questions presented during registration come from a third-party
identity verification service and are used only for the initial verification process. VRS
does not retain the information or share it with anyone.
Assistance With myVRS
Select Help from the top of any screen for general information.
Ready to Retire?
myVRS is a valuable resource
as you start to plan for
retirement. You can view
your earliest retirement
eligibility dates, estimated
benefit amounts and Member
Benefit Profile (MBP), among
other information. You also
can create different benefit
scenarios and estimate
You will have two attempts to register before a lockout occurs. Once registered, you can
use the Forgot Password feature if you get locked out. For additional assistance, call VRS
toll-free at 1-888-VARETIR (827-3847) and select option 3 for myVRS online assistance,
8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or contact [email protected].
your income and expenses
upon retirement. For more
information, see Chapter
11-Getting Ready to Retire.
7 | CH 1 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Important email notice: Do not send confidential or personal information, such as your
Social Security number, by email even when you are logged into your account. VRS will
send only non-confidential replies.
What to do if I...
See...
Want to access my member information?
Through myVRS, you can view information from your member record, track your savings progress,
create benefit estimates and plan for retirement. To create a secure online account, select myVRS
from the VRS website at www.varetire.org.
Chapter 1-Welcome to VRS
Want public service from previous employment to count toward my retirement?
If you have eligible service from a previous public position, active duty military service, an eligible
period of leave or VRS refunded service, you may be able to purchase this service as credit in your plan.
Chapter 4-Enhancing Your Benefit
Change my marital status; have or adopt a child?
If your personal or family situation changes, review your beneficiary designation as soon as possible.
VRS is required by law to pay benefits according to the latest beneficiary designation in your
member record. If you participate in the VRS Group Life Insurance Program and you need to confirm
your current designation, request this information by writing to Minnesota Life, the insurer for the
Group Life Insurance Program, at P.O. Box 1193, Richmond, VA 23218-1193. Neither Minnesota Life
nor VRS can provide this information over the phone.
Chapter 3-Saving for Retirement
Chapter 5-Group Life Insurance
Program
Chapter 13-Insurance in
Retirement
To update your beneficiary, complete the Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2). If you participate
in the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation and Cash Match Plans,
complete the Beneficiary Designation 457(b)/401(a) Plan form. Both forms are available at
www.varetire.org/beneficiary.
If you are covered under the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, you are eligible to elect additional
coverage for yourself as well as a spouse or dependent children through the Optional Group Life
Insurance Program. You pay the premiums through payroll deduction.
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Become disabled?
If you are a state employee enrolled in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP), you have
income protection if you can’t work because of a non-work-related or work-related illness or injury;
there are eligibility periods for some coverage. You also are covered under the VSDP Long-Term Care
Plan at no cost to you.
If you are an employee of a school division or a political subdivision, you are eligible to be considered
for disability retirement if you have a non-work-related or work-related disability that prevents you
from performing your job and is likely to be permanent.
Leave my job?
If you leave your position, you can request a refund of your member contributions and interest. You will
receive a full or partial refund based on whether or not you are vested (you have at least five years of
creditable service) or involuntarily separated from employment for causes other than job performance
or misconduct. Taking a refund cancels your membership and eligibility for any future benefits.
You have the option of leaving your account balance with VRS. You will be considered a deferred
member. If you are vested, you may be eligible for a future retirement benefit if you meet the age
and service requirements for your plan. Look up your member contribution account balance and other
benefit information in myVRS before deciding the option that will best meet your needs.
Chapter 6-Virginia Sickness
and Disability Program (State
Employees)
Chapter 7-Retiring on Disability
Chapter 8-Long-Term Care
Programs
Chapter 10-Leaving Employment
Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement
and Deferred Compensation Plan
Payments
See...
If you leave employment, you may be eligible to continue other coverage, such as life insurance or
long-term care insurance. If you are involuntarily separated from employment, you may qualify for
severance benefits. For more information, visit www.varetire.org/severance.
Want to plan for retirement or am ready to retire?
It’s never too soon to plan for retirement:
• Start saving early in your career through the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan if you are eligible,
a 403(b) plan or another supplemental retirement plan if offered by your employer.
•Take advantage of free member education opportunities about your benefits, money matters
and retirement planning as well as the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan, if your employer offers the plan.
Chapter 2-Your Retirement Plan
Chapter 3-Saving for Retirement
Chapter 11-Getting Ready
to Retire
• Be sure to register for myVRS, which gives you secure online access to your benefit information
and retirement planning.
If you die while you are an active member, your beneficiary may be eligible for a death-in-service
benefit, funds from your savings plan if applicable or any life insurance benefits you may have.
At retirement, you can elect the Survivor Option if you wish to continue a monthly benefit to a
survivor upon your death. If you have VRS basic group life insurance, your coverage includes an
accelerated death benefit option if you are diagnosed with a terminal condition and have fewer than
12 months to live. In the event of your death, Losing a Loved One: Guide for Families will help your
beneficiary or survivor know what to do regarding benefit claims. The publication is available at
www.varetire.org.
Chapter 5-Group Life Insurance
Program
Chapter 9-Death-in-Service
Benefits
Chapter 13-Insurance in
Retirement
Want to know more about my benefits as a retiree?
Health insurance, the health insurance credit, life insurance—as a retiree, you may be eligible for
these benefits in addition to your monthly retirement benefit. Also, learn more about direct deposit,
the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), taxes and payment options for your deferred compensation
plan account.
Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement
and Deferred Compensation Plan
Payments
Want to work after I retire?
Under some circumstances, you can work after retirement with no interruption in your monthly
benefit. If you return to VRS-covered employment, your benefits will stop and you will become an
active member. Any cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) you received while retired will not continue
when you retire again. You may become eligible for an annual COLA effective July 1 of the second
calendar year after your subsequent retirement.
Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement
and Deferred Compensation Plan
Payments
Chapter 13-Insurance in
Retirement
Chapter 14-Working After
Retirement
Have a question about my benefits? This Handbook for Members describes your benefits as a member covered under the VRS
Plan 2. If you have additional questions, contact your human resource office or call VRS toll-free at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847).
9 | CH 1 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Need to arrange my affairs?
If you no longer can take actions on your own behalf, an agent named under a power of attorney
can act on your behalf and in accordance with your wishes. To name an individual as your agent
for VRS matters, submit a VRS Durable Power of Attorney (VRS-901). The form is available at
www.varetire.org.
About VRS
Plan: The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) is administered based on the plan year July 1 to June 30. VRS is a defined benefit
plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. VRS is governed by the provisions of Title 51.1 of the Code of
Virginia. Changes to the law can be made only by an act of the General Assembly.
Administration: VRS is an independent state agency. As provided under the Constitution of Virginia, VRS funds are separate
from other state funds and can be used only to administer and pay benefits for members, retirees and beneficiaries. Benefit
plans include defined benefit plans through VRS, the State Police Officers’ Retirement System (SPORS), the Virginia Law Officers’
Retirement System (VaLORS) and the Judicial Retirement System (JRS); defined contribution plans, including the Commonwealth
of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation and Cash Match Plans; VRS Group Life Insurance Program; Virginia Sickness and
Disability Program (VSDP) and VSDP Long-Term Care Plan for state employees; Commonwealth of Virginia (COV) Voluntary Group
Long Term Care Insurance Program; disability retirement for members not covered under VSDP; and the Retiree Health Insurance
Credit Program.
A board of trustees administers the investment program and benefit plans of VRS. Nine members serve on the VRS Board of
Trustees. Their appointment is shared between the executive and legislative branches of state government. The Governor
appoints five members, including the chairman. The Joint Rules Committee of the Virginia General Assembly appoints four
members. The General Assembly confirms all appointments. Of the nine Board members, four must be investment experts;
one must be experienced in employee benefit plans; one must be a local government employee; one must be an employee of
a Virginia public institution of higher education; one must be a state employee; and one must be a public school teacher. The
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public employee members may be active or retired. The following individuals currently serve on the Board of Trustees:
Robert L. Greene, Chairman
William H. Leighty
Diana F. Cantor, Vice Chairman
Joseph W. Montgomery
The Honorable J. Brandon Bell, II
Mitchell L. Nason
Wallace G. "Bo" Harris, Ph.D.
Troilen Gainey Seward, Ed.S.
W. Brett Hayes
The Board appoints the director of the Virginia Retirement System, who serves as chief administrative officer, as well as
the chief investment officer and the internal audit director.
Employees Eligible for Membership: Membership in VRS is automatic with employment in a covered position. Covered
employment is a full-time permanent, salaried position with a VRS-participating employer. Some part-time permanent, salaried
state positions also are covered under VRS. Participating employers include state agencies, public colleges and universities,
local public school divisions and political subdivisions that have elected to participate in VRS.
VRS’ Relationship with Employers: VRS administers benefits on behalf of employers that participate in VRS. Employers are
not agents of VRS nor do they act at the direction of VRS. A list of participating employers is available at www.varetire.org.
2
Your Retirement Plan
Eligible Employees • About Your Plan • Qualifying for
Retirement • Benefit Payout Options
Eligible Employees
Eligible employees include:
• Full-time permanent, salaried state employees and faculty of Virginia’s public
colleges and universities. Some part-time permanent, salaried state employees
also are covered under VRS.
• Full-time permanent, salaried teachers and administrative employees of the
state’s local public school divisions. These employees include school managers
and clerical employees.
• Full-time permanent, salaried employees of VRS-participating political
subdivisions, such as cities, counties, towns, authorities and commissions.
These employees may include school maintenance, janitorial and cafeteria
employees and school bus drivers as elected by the school division.
What Is Covered and
Non-Covered Employment?
Covered employment is a
full-time permanent, salaried
position with an employer that
participates in VRS. Some
part-time permanent, salaried
state positions also are covered
under VRS.
Non-covered employment
is a part-time position with a
VRS-participating employer.
Non-covered positions do not
provide eligibility for benefits.
Part-time positions typically
require 80 percent or less of the
hours of comparable full-time
permanent positions. Some
full-time positions may be
considered non-covered if they
are temporary and require 80
percent or less of the hours per
year that would be considered
full-time and permanent for
that position.
11 | CH 2 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
You are covered under Plan 2 if your membership date is from July 1, 2010, to
December 31, 2013, and you have not taken a refund. Additionally, you are
covered under Plan 2 if you have a membership date prior to July 1, 2010, but
you were not vested before January 1, 2013. You are covered under Optional
Retirement Plan 2 if you have an ORP membership date after July 1, 2010. If you
are a member of VaLORS or SPORS, or an employee of a political subdivision
that covers you with enhanced hazardous duty benefits or the hazardous duty
alternate option under VRS and were hired on or after July 1, 2010, you are in
Plan 2, even if your membership date is after December 31, 2013.
About Your Plan
School Division and
Political Subdivision
The VRS Plan 2 is a defined benefit plan. This plan provides a monthly benefit
during retirement based on your age, total creditable service and average final
compensation. Average final compensation is the average of your 60 consecutive
months of highest creditable compensation as a covered employee. Creditable
compensation is your annual salary, not including overtime pay, payment of
a temporary nature or payments for extra duties, such as pay for teachers who
provide coaching or act as an advisor for special activities.
Employees
If you are an employee of a
school division or a political
subdivision and were an
active member as of June 30,
Your benefit is funded through member and employer contributions to VRS,
which are invested over your career. VRS holds these funds in a trust protected
by the Constitution of Virginia. This trust may be used only to pay benefits for
VRS members, retirees and beneficiaries.
2012, your employer may have
elected to phase in your 5
Member Contributions
percent member contribution
You contribute 5 percent of your creditable compensation each month to
your member contribution account on a pre-tax salary reduction basis. Your
contributions are tax-deferred until you withdraw them as part of your retirement
benefit or as a refund. Your account accrues 4 percent interest, which is
compounded annually on the balance as of the previous June 30.
payment beginning July 1,
2012. Contact your human
resource office for more
information.
Felony Conviction
If you are convicted of a felony
related to your VRS-covered
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employment, your employer
may direct that your employer
contributions and related
benefits be forfeited. If you
have questions, please contact
your human resource office.
If you leave your position before retirement, you can request a refund of your
member contributions and interest. If you are vested (you have at least five years
of creditable service) or involuntarily separated from employment for causes other
than job performance or misconduct, you will receive a full refund of your member
contribution account balance. If you are not vested, you will receive a refund of
the balance, excluding any member contributions made by your employer to your
account after July 1, 2010, and the interest on these contributions.
Taking a refund cancels your membership and eligibility for any future VRS
benefits. You have the option of leaving your account balance with VRS.
You will be considered a deferred member. For more information, see Chapter
10-Leaving Employment.
The Code of Virginia prohibits members from borrowing from their member
contribution accounts.
Employer Contribution
Your employer makes a separate contribution to VRS based on the payroll of all
covered employees. The VRS actuary determines the rate your employer pays.
This rate is based on several factors, including the number of employees eligible
for benefits, number of retired employees, employee salaries, ages and mortality
rates. Members are not eligible for a refund of the separate employer contribution.
Qualifying for Retirement
Vesting. Vesting is the minimum length of service needed to qualify for a
retirement benefit. You become vested when you have at least five years
(60 months) of creditable service. Once you are vested, you are eligible for a
retirement benefit if you meet the age and service requirements for your plan.
Unreduced retirement. Normal retirement age under the VRS Plan 2 is your normal
Social Security retirement age (see chart). You become eligible for an unreduced
retirement benefit when you reach your normal Social Security retirement age and
have at least five years of creditable service or when your age and creditable service
equal 90. Example: Age 60 with 30 years of creditable service.
Reduced retirement. You may retire with a reduced benefit as early as age 60 with
at least five years of creditable service. To determine your reduced benefit, VRS
applies an early retirement reduction factor to the benefit you would receive if you
retired with an unreduced benefit.
Benefit Payout Options
When you apply for retirement, you choose how you want to receive your benefit.
The payout options are the Basic Benefit, Survivor Option, Partial Lump-Sum
Option Payment (PLOP) and Advance Pension Option. The option you elect is
irrevocable. That means you cannot change it after you retire, with the exception
of the Survivor Option under some conditions.
Social Security Retirement
Ages for Full Benefits
Year of
Birth
Normal
Retirement Age
1937 or
earlier
65 years
1938
65 + 2 months
1939
65 + 4 months
1940
65 + 6 months
1941
65 + 8 months
1942
65 + 10 months
1943-54
66 years
1955
66 + 2 months
1956
66 + 4 months
1957
66 + 6 months
1958
66 + 8 months
1959
66 + 10 months
1960 or
later
67 years
The Basic Benefit is a monthly benefit based on a formula. See “Your Core
Benefit” in this chapter for a calculation example. If you retire with a reduced
benefit, VRS will first determine the amount of your Basic Benefit and then
apply an early retirement reduction factor. The Basic Benefit does not provide a
continuation of a benefit to a survivor. However, your beneficiary will be eligible
for a lump-sum payment of any funds remaining in your member contribution
account upon your death.
Survivor Option
With this option, you elect to receive a lower monthly benefit during your
retirement so that your survivor can receive a monthly benefit after your death.
If you elect the Survivor Option, you will choose a whole percentage of your
benefit, between 10 percent and 100 percent, to go to your survivor. Your benefit
amount will be based on this percentage, your age and the age of your survivor at
your retirement date.
13 | CH 2 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Basic Benefit
You can name any living person as your survivor; you also can name more than
one survivor. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may limit the amount of
your benefit that can go to a non-spouse survivor. For additional information,
including a chart on maximum survivor option percentages, contact the IRS
toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov.
Changing the Survivor Option. You can name a new survivor or revert to the
Basic Benefit if:
• Your survivor dies;
• Your survivor is your spouse and you divorce with fewer than 20 years
of marriage;
• Your survivor is your spouse, you divorce after 20 or more years of marriage
and your spouse dies, remarries or consents in writing to a change
in benefit; or
• You provide VRS a written consent from your survivor giving up claim to
a benefit along with proof of your survivor’s good health.
How Your Benefit Is Paid
When you retire, your benefit
is paid first from your member
contributions and interest.
After these funds have been
paid out, your benefit is paid
from the separate contribution
your employer makes to VRS
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and investment earnings.
Note: If you are divorced and VRS has an Approved Domestic Relations Order (ADRO)
on file, your benefit must be paid as directed by the ADRO. For more information about
attachments to retirement benefits, see Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement and Deferred
Compensation Plan Payments.
Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP)
If you work at least one year beyond the date you first become eligible for
an unreduced retirement benefit, you may elect to receive a one-time Partial
Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP). This option reduces the amount of
your monthly benefit. You may elect a PLOP with the Basic Benefit or
Survivor Option.
PLOP amounts. You may choose a lump sum equal to one, two or three times the
amount of your annual Basic Benefit. The amount depends on how long you
work beyond the date you first become eligible for an unreduced retirement
benefit, as shown in the following chart:
Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP) Amounts
Active Service PLOP Amount
Beyond Unreduced Retirement Eligibility
EX AMPLE
Based on an annual Basic
Benefit of $32,000
12 months
1 x annual Basic Benefit amount (one-year PLOP)
$32,000
24 months
1 or 2 x annual Basic Benefit amount (one- or two-year PLOP)
$32,000 or $64,000
1, 2 or 3 x annual Basic Benefit amount (one-, two- or three-year PLOP)
$32,000, $64,000
or $96,000
36 months or more
Changing Your Survivor
You can change your survivor
only once. If you elect the
Survivor Option and need to
change your survivor after
you retire, call VRS toll-free
at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-8273847) for assistance.
Let myVRS Calculate the
Qualifying for the PLOP. Prior service credit or granted service credit counts toward
eligibility for unreduced retirement. However, to qualify for a PLOP, you must
be working as an active member beyond the date you become eligible for an
unreduced retirement benefit. Prior service credit or granted service credit cannot
substitute for this active service.
Best Option for You
Through myVRS, you can create
benefit estimates based on
different payout options to see
which option will best meet
your needs and those of your
family in retirement. To register
PLOP Example
or log into your secure online
Effective March 1, 2018, Debbie will be eligible for an unreduced retirement benefit. She
would like to retire with a PLOP. If she works until March 1, 2019, she will qualify for a oneyear PLOP. If she works until March 1, 2020, she can elect a one- or two-year PLOP. If she
works until March 1, 2021, or later, she can elect a one-, two- or three-year PLOP.
account, select myVRS from
www.varetire.org.
percent for federal income taxes and, if you live in Virginia, 4 percent for state
income taxes. The IRS also may impose an additional 10 percent tax penalty for
early withdrawal of member contributions if you receive the PLOP before age
59½; there are exceptions to this rule. You can roll over the PLOP to the Virginia
Cash Match Plan if applicable, an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or
another qualified tax-deferred savings plan. For more information, read the IRS
402(f) Special Tax Notice available at www.varetire.org/irs402f; or contact a tax
advisor or the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov.
Continued on page 18
15 | CH 2 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Taxes on the PLOP. If you have the PLOP paid directly to you, VRS will deduct 20
Your Core Benefit
Your plan provides a monthly benefit when you retire. Your core benefit is
called the Basic Benefit. It is calculated using a percentage of your average
final compensation multiplied by your creditable service at retirement.
The percentage is called a retirement multiplier. Under the VRS Plan 2, the
retirement multiplier for service retirement is 1.65 percent on creditable service
earned, purchased or granted on or after January 1, 2013, and 1.7 percent on
creditable service earned, purchased or granted before January 1, 2013.
Average final compensation is the average of your 60 consecutive months
of highest creditable compensation as a covered employee, as shown in the
following example:
Average Final Compensation Example
When You’re Ready to
Think About Retirement
For more information, see
Chapter 11-Getting Ready
to Retire. Information about
deferring retirement also is
included in this chapter.
60 consecutive months of highest creditable compensation
$ 210,000
Divided by five years (60 months)
÷ 5
Average final compensation
$
42,000
What is service? Service is the period of time you are working in a covered
position. You accrue credit for service at the rate of one month of creditable
service for each month you are on the job.
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What is creditable service? Creditable service is credit for service earned as
a VRS defined benefit member. Members earn creditable service for each
month they are reported in a covered position. Creditable service also may
include credit for prior service a member may have purchased or additional
creditable service granted by an employer (see Chapter 4-Enhancing Your
Benefit). Creditable service is one of the factors used to calculate the VRS
retirement benefit and determine eligibility for retiree benefits.
Moving to Another Covered Position?
If you move to a position covered under the State Police Officers’ Retirement System (SPORS),
the Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System (VaLORS) or the Judicial Retirement System
(JRS), or to a political subdivision position eligible for enhanced hazardous duty coverage,
you will come under the plan provisions of the new position for retirement and other benefits.
For more information, refer to the current member handbooks for Plan 2 available at
www.varetire.org. You also can call VRS at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847) for assistance.
Calculating the Basic Benefit
Here is an example of how the unreduced Basic Benefit is calculated:
Basic Benefit Calculation for an Unreduced Benefit
For a member retiring at age 60 with 30 years of creditable service, 26 of which were earned
after January 1, 2013.
F O R M U L A E X A M P L E
Average final compensation
$ 42,000.00
x 1.65% x .0165
x Years of creditable service earned after 1/1/2013
x 26
Average final compensation
$ 42,000.00
x 1.7%
x .017
x Years of creditable service earned before 1/1/2013
x4
Look Up Your Member
Information Online
Through myVRS, you can
see your current member
contribution account balance,
creditable service and other
Su b -t o t al
$18, 018.00
information from your member
record. To register or log into
your secure online account,
select myVRS from
www.varetire.org.
Su b -t o t al
$2,856.00
Benefit amount based on 1.65%
$ 18,018.00
Benefit amount based on 1.7% 2,856.00
Annual benefit amount
$ 20,874.00
Divided by 12 months
÷ 12
Monthly benefit amount before taxes and other deductions
$ 1,739.50
Benefit Variations
If you retire with a reduced benefit, the Survivor Option, a Partial LumpSum Option Payment (PLOP) or the Advance Pension Option, a reduction
factor for reduced retirement or the option you elect will be applied to your
unreduced Basic Benefit amount.
17 | CH 2 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Note: The Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of annual compensation that may be used to
calculate a retirement benefit. The current limits are $395,000 for members whose membership
date is before April 9, 1996, and $265,000 for members whose membership date is on or
after April 9, 1996. If these limits apply to you, contact your human resource office for help in
calculating your benefit estimate.
Continued from page 15
Advance Pension Option
Beneficiary Payment
Under the PLOP
If you elect the PLOP with the
Basic Benefit, your beneficiary
will be eligible for a lumpsum payment of your member
contribution account balance
upon your death. However,
because the PLOP is paid from
your member contribution
account, there may be no funds
remaining in your account or
the balance may be less than
if you elected the Basic Benefit
without the PLOP.
With this option, you elect to increase your monthly benefit temporarily. The
temporary increase will begin when you retire and continue until an age you
choose, between age 62 and the age you become entitled to a full Social Security
benefit. At that point, your benefit will be permanently reduced. You can elect
this option with an unreduced retirement benefit or if you retire at age 60
or older and are vested (you have at least five years of creditable service). See
“Qualifying for Retirement” in this chapter for a Social Security age chart.
To figure your benefit amount, VRS will add a percentage of your estimated
monthly Social Security benefit to your monthly VRS benefit. The percentage is
based on several factors, including your age when you retire and the age you want
your benefit to permanently reduce. When the temporary increase ends, your
benefit will be reduced by the estimated Social Security benefit used to determine
your temporary increase. However, it will never be reduced by more than 50
percent of your Basic Benefit amount.
Important note: This option does not affect the amount of your Social Security
benefit. You also may draw your Social Security when you are eligible for it,
regardless of the age you choose for your benefit to reduce. The Advance Pension
Option does not provide a continuation of a benefit to a survivor. You cannot
elect the Advance Pension Option with other benefit payout options.
Benefit Payout Options and the COLA
Advance Pension Option
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is an annual increase in your retirement benefit.
The COLA calculation is based on the payout option you elect at retirement:
You will need a Social Security
• For the Basic Benefit or Advance Pension Option, the calculation is based on the Basic 18 | W W W.VARE TIRE.ORG • 1- 8 8 8 -VARE TIR (1- 8 8 8 - 827-3847) PL A N 2
Estimating and Electing the
benefit estimate adjusted for
purposes of estimating or
electing this option. The
estimate must be less than
12 months old, assume you
will have no future earnings
after leaving your position and
be based on your Social
Security earnings record. For
detailed instructions, go to
www.varetire.org/apo.
Benefit amount.
• For the Basic Benefit with the Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP), Survivor Option
or Survivor Option with the PLOP, the calculation is based on the reduced benefit amount.
During years of no inflation or deflation, the COLA will be 0 percent. For more information about
the COLA, see Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan Payments.
3
Saving for Retirement
Deferred Compensation Plan • Allowable Contribution
Amounts • Consolidating Your Retirement Funds • Deferred
Compensation Plan Resources
Deferred Compensation Plan
State employees. You are enrolled automatically in the Commonwealth’s 457
Plan upon employment. A pre-tax salary reduction of $20 per pay period and
an employer cash match through the Virginia Cash Match Plan of $10 per pay
period begin within 90 days of employment. You can enroll before then to get
started on your savings now once you receive a personal identification number
(PIN) in the mail to set up your online account. As a participant in the 457
Plan, you are eligible for an employer cash match equal to 50 percent of your
contributions, not to exceed $20 per pay period.
Public college and university employees. You are eligible to participate in a 403(b) plan
Commonwealth's 457
Plan Makes Saving for
Retirement Easy
• Your contributions are
deducted automatically
from your paycheck, and
you may be eligible for an
employer cash match.
• You can increase the
amount you save at any
time, subject to tax code
and plan limits.
• You defer paying income
taxes on your contributions
your institution may offer as well as the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan. If you decide
not to participate in a 403(b) plan, you are enrolled automatically in the 457 Plan
within 90 days of employment. If you participate in both plans, you are eligible for
one employer cash match equal to 50 percent of your contribution, not to exceed
$20 per pay period.
until you withdraw the
School division and political subdivision employees. Your employer may offer the
be withdrawn tax free
Commonwealth’s 457 Plan and Virginia Cash Match Plan, a 403(b) plan or
another supplemental retirement plan. Contact your human resource office for
more information about your savings opportunities. Your employer also may
provide automatic enrollment in these plans upon employment.
money from your plan,
with the exception of Roth
contributions, which are
made on an after-tax basis
to your 457 Plan and may
provided certain criteria
are met.
• You select your investments
from the plan’s investment
options.
19 | CH 3 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Plans such as the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation
Plan, a 403(b) plan or another supplemental retirement plan, if offered by your
employer, allow you to save for retirement. You may choose a Roth contribution
option if you participate in the Commonwealth's 457 Plan. Roth contributions
are made on an after-tax basis to your 457 Plan. This chapter provides an
overview of the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan.
Allowable Contribution Amounts
Regular contribution limit. Each year, you may contribute up to 100 percent of
Contribution Limits
Current IRS contribution
limits are available at
www.varetire.org. Select the
Defined Contribution Plans tab.
your includible compensation to the Commonwealth's 457 Plan, not to exceed
the limit set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is updated from
time to time. Includible compensation is the compensation you receive from
your employer, less any amount you may be using to purchase VRS creditable
service on a tax-deferred basis. Contributions to your pre-tax account are not
subject to federal or Virginia income taxes but are subject to employment taxes,
such as FICA. You may choose a Roth contribution option if you participate
in the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Roth
contributions are made on an after-tax basis to your 457 account.
If You Leave Employment
If you participate in the 457
Standard Catch-Up. During each of the three calendar years before your normal
Plan and leave your position,
retirement age, you may contribute up to twice the regular IRS contribution limit
or the amount of your Standard Catch-Up credit, whichever is less. The Standard
Catch-Up credit is the amount you did not contribute, or did not contribute to
the maximum allowed, in previous years in which you were eligible. Use the
Standard Catch-Up worksheet available at www.varetire.org to determine the
amount of your credit, or call toll-free 1-VRS-DC-PLAN1 (1-877-327-5261)
for assistance.
your contributions will stop.
However, you can continue
to manage your account or
request a distribution. If you
return to an employer that
offers the plan, you may
resume your contributions.
For more information
Age 50+ Catch-Up. If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute an additional
about distribution options,
amount over the regular IRS contribution limit to the 457 Plan. You cannot use
the Age 50+ Catch-Up and the Standard Catch-Up in the same calendar year.
see Chapter 12-Receiving
Retirement and Deferred
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Compensation Plan Payments.
Military leave make-up. If you leave your position for military service, you will not be
able to contribute to the 457 Plan, unless you continue to receive compensation from
your employer from which contributions can be made. If you return to employment
with an employer that offers the plan, you may contribute the amount of deferrals
you were unable to make during your period of military leave. If applicable, you will
receive the employer cash match on these make-up contributions.
Consolidating Your Retirement Funds
If you have a Virginia Cash Match Plan account, you can use your account to
consolidate your retirement funds, such as rolling over money from an Individual
Retirement Account (IRA) or another qualified plan to your cash match account.
If you leave employment or retire, you can roll over your 457 Plan balance to your
cash match account or contribute some or all of a Partial Lump-Sum Option
Payment (PLOP), if you elect this option at retirement (see “Benefit Payout
Options” in Chapter 2-Your Retirement Plan). You also can use your 457 Plan
account to consolidate payments you may be eligible to receive when you leave
employment or retire, such as a payment of unused sick leave or annual leave. As
provided under the Internal Revenue Code, you cannot contribute cash severance
payments to the 457 Plan.
Designating a Beneficiary
for the 457 Plan
Complete the Beneficiary
Designation 457(b)/401(a) Plan
form* online at www.varetire.
org to name a beneficiary to
receive your plan account
balance upon your death
(select the Defined Contribution
Plans tab). If there is no valid
Deferred Compensation Plan Resources
Publications and education are available to help you get the most out of your
457 Plan. Publications include the Focus Newsletter, Plan Features and Highlights
and Investment Guide. The Deferred Compensation Plan Regional Education
Meetings cover topics, such as long-term planning for your financial future,
managing your plan and distribution strategies. Meetings are held at sites around
the state. You can find these resources at www.varetire.org (select the Defined
Contribution Plans tab).
Registered plan representatives also are available for one-on-one counseling.
Call toll-free 1-VRS-DC-PLAN1 (1-877-327-5261) or visit the local plan
representative at 919 East Main Street, 16th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.
Counseling hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
beneficiary designation on file
or your named beneficiary is
deceased at the time of your
death, VRS is required by law
to pay benefits according to an
order of precedence. For more
information about order of
precedence, see “Designating a
Beneficiary” in Chapter 5-Group
Life Insurance Program.
*You cannot use the Designation
of Beneficiary (VRS-2) to name a
beneficiary for the 457 Plan.
The VRS-2 is only for naming a
beneficiary for your VRS member
contributions and life insurance
benefits. See Chapter 5 for
more information.
2 1 | CH 3 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
You defer paying federal and state income taxes on your contributions until you
withdraw the money from your plan, with the exception of Roth contributions,
which are made on an after-tax basis to your 457 Plan and may be withdrawn
tax free provided certain criteria are met. The IRS also may impose an additional
10 percent tax penalty on Cash Match Plan distributions received before age
59½; there are exceptions to this rule. There is no penalty for early withdrawals
from the 457 Plan. When you reach age 70½, you can withdraw your money
from your plan at any time, regardless of your employment status. For more
information, see Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement and Deferred Compensation
Plan Payments.
4
Enhancing Your Benefit
Purchase of Prior Service • Types and Purchase Amounts of
Prior Service • Cost Windows • Applying to Purchase Prior
Service • Payment Methods
Purchase of Prior Service
You may be eligible to purchase prior service from previous public employment,
active duty military service, an eligible period of leave or VRS refunded service
as service credit in your plan. Purchasing prior service counts toward vesting and
eligibility for retirement and the health insurance credit.
To purchase prior service, you must be an active VRS member. You are not
eligible to purchase prior service if you are employed in a non-covered position,
on a leave of absence without pay, or are a deferred member or a retiree.
Note: If you leave VRS-covered employment and take a refund of your member
contributions and interest, membership in VRS is canceled and you are no longer
eligible for VRS benefits. If you return to VRS-covered employment, you will be
rehired under the applicable plan. You may purchase the prior refunded service
upon reemployment.
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Prior Service Eligible for the Hazardous Duty Supplement
If you are eligible for enhanced hazardous duty coverage and have at least 20
years of hazardous duty service credit at retirement, you may qualify for a
supplement to your monthly retirement benefit until you reach normal Social
Security age (or age 65 for members of the Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement
System). Prior service credit for refunded VRS hazardous duty service or for an
eligible period of leave while covered under VRS in a hazardous duty position
may count toward eligibility for the hazardous duty supplement, provided
you purchase or are granted this service. Other types of prior service you may
purchase, such as active duty military service or hazardous duty service with a
non-VRS participating employer, do not count toward the supplement.
Types and Purchase Amounts of Prior Service
Unlimited Purchase Amounts
Purchases of VRS-refunded service, no-cost military leave, ported service,
sick leave or disability credit conversion at retirement and workers’ compensation
are unlimited.
your member contributions and interest, your membership and eligibility for
any future benefits will be canceled. If you return to covered employment,
you will be rehired under the applicable retirement plan for that position.
You may purchase the refunded service as service credit in your current plan.
The purchase cost is based on the refund amount, plus interest compounded
annually from the date of the refund to the date you buy back the service. The
interest rate is 7 percent, which is the assumed rate of return of the VRS fund.
You may purchase all of your refunded service or a portion at any time while
an active VRS member.
• No-cost military leave: You can receive prior service credit at no cost for each
occurrence of leave from a VRS-covered position for active duty military
service. You can apply for no-cost military leave at any time, provided your
discharge is not under dishonorable conditions and you return to covered
employment within one year of discharge.
• Ported service: If you move to a VRS-covered position from a non-covered
position with an employer that has a portability agreement with VRS, you
may be eligible to transfer retirement assets from the former employer's plan in
exchange for VRS service credit.
oo
oo
You must make the request within 18 months of beginning
VRS-covered employment.
You must have been in a salaried, permanent full-time position and
vested with the former employer.
• Sick leave conversion at retirement: If you are eligible for a payment of unused sick
leave at retirement, you may elect to have this payment converted to service
credit that will count toward your benefit calculation.
oo
oo
Your employer will deduct the appropriate tax withholding from the
payment and then send the funds to VRS for this purchase.
VRS will calculate the service credit amount represented by the
remainder of the payment based on an actuarial equivalent cost. If you
wish to apply the full sick leave payment amount toward the conversion,
you may make a lump-sum payment to cover the difference between the
full payment amount and the amount withheld for taxes.
Refunded Service Cost
Refunded service cost is based
on the return of the refunded
amount plus interest from the
date of refund to the purchase
date, using a 7 percent interest
rate compounded annually. The
interest rate is based on the
assumed rate of return of the
VRS fund. You may purchase
all of your refunded service or
a portion at any time while an
active VRS member.
VRS Portability Agreements
To port service, you must have
been in a salaried, permanent
full-time position with the
former employer. VRS has
portability agreements with
the following Virginia public
employers:
• City of Charlottesville
• City of Danville
• City of Newport News
• City of Norfolk
• City of Richmond
• City of Roanoke
• County of Fairfax
2 3 | CH 4 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
• Refunded service: If you leave VRS-covered employment and take a refund of
• Disability credit conversion at retirement: If you are eligible for a payment of
unused disability credits under the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
(VSDP) at retirement, you may elect to convert the disability credit to service
credit toward your benefit calculation. You will receive one month of service
for each 173 hours of disability credits you have to convert.
• Workers’ compensation: If you go on workers’ compensation and member
contributions are not withheld from your workers’ compensation payment
or any compensation you receive from your employer, you may be eligible to
purchase service credit for this period. For leave without pay, the maximum
amount eligible for purchase is 24 months per occurrence.
Limited Purchase Amounts
You may purchase up to a combined total of 48 months of the following types of
prior service. With the exception of some types of active duty military service, the
service must not be used to qualify you for a benefit under another retirement plan.
• Educational leave: Approved leave from a VRS-covered position.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave: Leave—up to 12 workweeks in a
12-month period—for your own serious health condition or that of your
immediate family member (spouse, child or parent), both as defined under
FMLA and approved by your employer at the time of the leave. The FMLA
defines “serious health condition” as an illness, injury, impairment or physical
or mental condition that involves a) inpatient care in a hospital, hospice
or residential medical care facility, or b) continuing treatment by a health
care provider.
• Federal service (salaried, full-time): Service in a civilian position with the federal
2 4 | W W W.VARE TIRE.ORG • 1- 8 8 8 -VARE TIR (1- 8 8 8 - 827-3847) PL A N 2
government.
• Leave for the birth, adoption or death of a child: Approved leave—up to 12 months
maximum per occurrence—from a VRS-covered position. If your spouse is
also an active VRS member and was also granted leave for birth, adoption or
death of a child, he or she also may purchase this leave.
• Non-covered service with a VRS-participating employer: Service in a temporary, part-
time or other non-covered position for an employer that participates in VRS.
Total hours must be confirmed by the employer where you previously worked.
• Non-ported service: If you move to a VRS-covered position from an employer
that has a portability agreement with VRS, you may be eligible to transfer
retirement assets from the employer’s plan in exchange for VRS service credit,
if certain conditions are met. If not all service transfers, you may be eligible to
purchase the remainder as non-ported service.
• Public service (salaried, full-time) other than VRS: Service with a Virginia public
employer that does not participate in VRS, or with a public employer or a
school system of another state or U.S. territory.
Approximate Normal Cost
Approximate normal cost is
If you are eligible, you may purchase additional months above the limited
purchase amounts if you have active duty military service or are a vested school
superintendent.
• Active duty military service: You may purchase up to an additional 48 months of
active duty military service, provided your discharge is not under dishonorable
conditions, was full-time service of at least 180 consecutive days and at
the time of purchase it does not qualify you for a military pension in the
U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or reserve components.
Exception: If you were in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves or the National
Guard, you may purchase up to an additional 48 months of active duty
military service, even if it will be used to qualify you for a military pension.
• Additional public service for school superintendents: If you are a vested school
superintendent, you may purchase an additional 10 years of public service
with a Virginia public employer that does not participate in VRS, or with a
public employer or a school system of another state or U.S. territory. You have
one year from the date you become vested to purchase additional service at the
10 percent rate. After the one-year period, the cost will be actuarial.
Cost Windows
the average cost of one year
of VRS service credit. The cost
is based on a percentage of
your creditable compensation
or average final compensation
at the time of purchase,
whichever is higher.
Actuarial Equivalent Cost
Actuarial equivalent cost
represents the amount of
money needed in today’s
dollars to pay for the total
value of the increase in your
future retirement benefit or
earlier retirement eligibility
date resulting from purchasing
prior service. If you purchase
prior service after your two-
Note: The two-year window does not apply to refunded service, which can be
purchased at any time during active membership. Also, see above for additional
service purchased by school superintendents.
Within the Two-Year Window
Your two-year cost window to purchase most types of service at approximate
normal cost begins upon employment in a VRS-covered position or following an
eligible period of leave.
Note: See variations for refunded service, ported service and public service
purchased by school superintendents.
year approximate normal cost
window, your cost will be
actuarial.
2 5 | CH 4 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
You are eligible to purchase your prior service at any point while an active VRS
member. However, you have a two-year window of time to purchase most types
of service at approximate normal cost before the cost changes to an actuarial
equivalent cost. If prior service eligibility was added to your member record
before January 1, 2017, the cost to purchase will be based on the cost window in
effect at the time the service was added.
If you do not purchase your prior service within the two-year window and leave
your job or take a leave of absence without pay, your window temporarily closes
until you return to active VRS-covered employment.
Changing Jobs While
Purchasing Service?
If you have a purchase
agreement in place and move
from one state employer to
another without a break in
service, VRS will continue
the agreement automatically.
Purchase agreements will end if
you move among other employer
types or have a break in service.
Should You Move Out
of State
If in the future, you leave
VRS-covered service and move
After the Two-Year Window
If you do not purchase the service within your two-year window, your cost shifts
to an actuarial equivalent cost.
Prior Service Cost Estimates
Register for or log into your myVRS account (myVRS.varetire.org) for access to a
variety of resources to help you in making a purchase decision. You can explore
purchase options and evaluate the impact of purchasing service on your future
retirement benefit as well as the time it will take to recover your purchase cost in
retirement.
Applying to Purchase Prior Service
with VRS, call 1-888-827-3847
Register for or log into your myVRS account (myVRS.varetire.org) to review
prior service in your record that is eligible for purchase. Your employer's human
resource office also can offer assistance. Using myVRS, you can:
or email [email protected] for
• Select the type and amount of prior service to purchase.
assistance.
• Choose the order in which you wish to purchase service.
to another state and need
certification of your prior service
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Example: You work two years in federal service. You then get a new job with the
Commonwealth of Virginia, where you work for one year but do not purchase
your previous federal service during that time. You subsequently leave your state
job and take a private industry job. A few years later, you switch jobs again,
returning to VRS-covered employment. At that point, you would have one
year remaining in your original cost window to purchase your federal service at
approximate normal cost.
• Calculate the cost to purchase service.
• See the impact of purchasing service on your future retirement benefit.
• Evaluate the time it will take to recover the purchase cost in retirement.
Your online myVRS account includes counseling tips to guide you through
each step of the purchase process. Once you commit to the purchase online, you
may make a lump-sum payment directly to VRS. Or, you can set up a purchase
payment agreement by printing your cost estimate page and working with your
employer. VRS must receive your lump-sum payment or employer-approved
agreement within 90 days of your confirmation, or you must reapply. Please note
that, generally, the cost to purchase service increases over time.
Eligibility for Service From Non-VRS-Participating Employers
In the following cases, the previous employer with which you earned the service will
need to certify your prior service before you can complete the purchase:
• Military leave (no cost). A copy of your DD214 or a copy of your orders for National
Guard service may be required.
• Full-time salaried federal service or other public service. If you participated in the federal
retirement system or the retirement system of another public employer, you also
must obtain certification from your previous retirement system that you are no
longer eligible for a retirement benefit under that employer’s plan.
Eligibility for Service From VRS-Participating Employers
In the following cases, the previous VRS employer with which you earned the service
will need to enter your prior service eligibility in the VRS system before you can
complete the purchase.
• Non-covered service with a VRS-participating employer.
• Leave for the birth, adoption or death of a child.
• Educational leave.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave for your own serious health
condition or that of your immediate family member, both as defined under
FMLA, approved by your employer at the time of the leave.
Payment Methods
You may initiate purchase of prior service through your myVRS account
(myvrs.varetire.org) and select from among the following payment methods:
• Lump-sum payment. You can purchase prior service by paying for the service in full
with a personal check, funds from another retirement plan to VRS using a trusteeto-trustee transfer or a pre-tax rollover of funds from another retirement account.
oo
After-tax payroll-deduction agreement. You may purchase prior service through an
after-tax payroll-deduction agreement during any period of active employment.
The agreement may be made for a minimum of six months (unless there are
fewer than six months of prior service eligible for purchase) to a maximum of
12 months in duration. Payments will be deducted from your paycheck.
2 7 | CH 4 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
• Purchase Payment Agreements
oo
Pre-tax salary-reduction agreement. You may purchase prior service through
a pre-tax salary-reduction agreement, if your employer offers this option.
The agreement may be made for a minimum of six months (unless there are
fewer than six months of prior service eligible for purchase) or a maximum
of 12 months in duration. Payments will be deducted from your paycheck.
When you complete your agreement, you can enter into another agreement or
make a lump-sum purchase of your remaining service. If your two-year
approximate normal cost window has ended and you wish to purchase the
balance, either through an agreement or lump-sum payment, your cost will be
the actuarial equivalent cost.
• Combination lump-sum payment and purchase payment agreement. You may purchase a
portion of your prior service in a lump sum and the remainder with a purchase
payment agreement, as described above.
Purchase Agreement Requirements
• An agreement may include multiple types of prior service, provided that all
types have the same cost basis (e.g., all are at approximate normal cost or all are
at actuarial equivalent cost).
• Purchase agreements may be made for a minimum of six months (unless there
are fewer than six months to purchase) or a maximum of 12 months.
• You may purchase a minimum of one month of service per month
of an agreement, up to a maximum of four months of service per month
of an agreement.
• You can make only one purchase agreement at a time.
• The duration of an agreement may not extend beyond the two-year approximate
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normal cost window. However, you may enter into another agreement to
purchase any remaining service at actuarial equivalent cost.
• Purchase payment agreements are executed through your employer.
• Each agreement to purchase service is calculated on a stand-alone basis, meaning
that the agreement cannot be renewed, and the terms and cost in effect at the
end of an agreement will not carry forward to the next agreement.
5
Group Life Insurance Program
Basic Group Natural and Accidental Death, Dismemberment
and Other Life Insurance Benefits • Designating a Beneficiary •
Optional Group Life Insurance Program
Basic Group Natural and Accidental Death,
Dismemberment and Other Life Insurance Benefits
If your employer participates in the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, you
are covered under the Basic Group Life Insurance Program from the first day of
employment. Your employer may pay your portion of the premiums. Basic group
life insurance coverage includes the following benefits:
Natural death benefit. The natural death benefit is equal to your creditable
Accidental death benefit. The accidental death benefit is double the natural death
benefit. Example: If your natural death benefit is $84,000, that amount will be
doubled for an accidental death benefit of $168,000.
Accidental dismemberment benefit. For the accidental loss of one limb or the sight
of one eye, the dismemberment benefit is equal to your creditable compensation
rounded to the next highest thousand. For the accidental loss of two or more
limbs, total loss of eyesight or the loss of one limb and the sight of one eye, the
benefit is equal to your creditable compensation rounded to the next highest
thousand and then doubled.
Safety belt benefit. If you are killed or dismembered in an accident while driving
or riding in a private passenger vehicle, your life insurance will pay an amount
equal to 10 percent of your accidental death or dismemberment benefit or
$50,000, whichever is less. You must have been using a safety restraint. No
benefit is payable if you or another person was driving without a license, under
the influence of alcohol or drugs or otherwise impaired.
Repatriation benefit. If you die in an accident 75 miles or more from your home,
your life insurance will pay for the cost of transportation to return your remains,
up to $5,000.
What Is Creditable
Compensation?
Creditable compensation is
your annual salary, not including
overtime pay, payment of a
temporary nature or payments
for extra duties, such as pay
for teachers who provide
coaching or act as an advisor
for special activities.
2 9 | CH 5 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
compensation rounded to the next highest thousand and then doubled.
Example: If your creditable compensation is $41,400, that amount will be
rounded to $42,000 and then doubled for a natural death benefit of $84,000.
Felonious assault benefit. Your basic group life insurance coverage provides
Look Up Your Life Insurance
Coverage in myVRS
You can view the amount of
your current life insurance
coverage through myVRS. To
register or log into your secure
online account, select myVRS
from www.varetire.org.
additional benefits if you die or are dismembered as a result of a felonious assault
while performing your job duties. The incident must have occurred at your
employer’s normal place of business or while you were on work-related travel.
The assaulter must have used force with intent to cause harm and be charged
with a misdemeanor or felony. No benefit is payable if the assaulter is an
immediate family member. Felonious assault benefits include:
• $50,000 or 25 percent of your accidental death or dismemberment benefit,
whichever is less
• Virginia Education Savings Trust account for each dependent child if you
die as a result of the assault. The amount is approximately equal to tuition
and mandatory fees to attend a public college or university in Virginia. Your
child may attend any accredited college or university in the United States that
participates in federal student financial aid programs.
Accelerated death benefit option. If you are diagnosed with a terminal condition
and have fewer than 12 months to live, you can withdraw some or all of your
life insurance proceeds to use for any purpose. Your beneficiary or survivor will
receive any remaining amount upon your death.
Designating a Beneficiary
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You can designate or change your beneficiary for life insurance benefits as well as
member contributions and interest while you are an active or deferred member or
after you retire. Submit a Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2) to VRS. The form
is available at www.varetire.org. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. You will
not receive a copy or confirmation of receipt.
Who Can Be a Beneficiary?
You can name any living person or an entity, such as an eligible trust or charity,
as your beneficiary.
Beneficiary Designation for the Deferred Compensation Plan
The Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2) applies only to beneficiary payments of life insurance
benefits and member contributions and interest. For information on designating a beneficiary
for the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan, see Chapter 3-Saving for Retirement.
Primary and Contingent Beneficiaries
• You can name more than one primary beneficiary to share in life insurance
benefits and any funds remaining in your member contribution account upon
your death, or a different primary beneficiary for each benefit.
• You can name a contingent beneficiary or beneficiaries. If your primary
beneficiary or beneficiaries are deceased at the time of your death, your
contingent beneficiary or beneficiaries will receive benefit payments according
to your designation.
Naming Multiple
Beneficiaries
The Designation of Beneficiary
(VRS-2) allows you to name
up to three individuals as your
beneficiaries. If you wish to
Changing Your Beneficiary
name more than three, list the
VRS is required by law to pay benefits according to the latest beneficiary
designation in your VRS record. Review your beneficiary designation after a
personal milestone, such as a change in marital status, the birth or adoption
of a child or as you near retirement. To change your beneficiary, submit a new
Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2) to VRS as soon as possible. If you cannot
remember your designation, submit a new VRS-2 or write to Minnesota Life,
P.O. Box 1193, Richmond, VA 23218-1193. Neither Minnesota Life nor VRS
can provide your designation over the phone.
additional beneficiaries on the
If there is no valid beneficiary designation on file, or your primary beneficiary
or beneficiaries are deceased at the time of your death and there is no contingent
beneficiary or beneficiaries, VRS will pay benefits according to the following
order of precedence, as required by law:
Order of Precedence
• First, to your spouse
• If no spouse, to your natural or legally adopted children and descendents of your deceased
natural or legally adopted children
• If none of the above, to your parents equally or to the surviving parent
• If none of the above, to the duly appointed executor or administrator of your estate
• If none of the above, to your next of kin under the laws of the state where you resided at the time of your death
Note: The Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2) allows you to elect the order of precedence
instead of designating a beneficiary.
Continuation (VRS-2A) and
submit this form with the VRS-2.
Death-in-Service Benefits
Your beneficiary or your spouse,
natural or legally adopted minor
child or parent may be eligible
for an additional benefit if you
die while you are an active
member. For more information,
see Chapter 9-Death-in-Service
Benefits.
3 1 | CH 5 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
If There Is No Beneficiary Designation
Designation of Beneficiary-
Optional Group Life Insurance Program
If you are covered under the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, you may
purchase additional coverage for yourself through the Optional Group Life
Insurance Program. If you elect this coverage, you also may cover a spouse or
dependent children. Optional group life insurance provides benefits for natural
and accidental death or dismemberment. You pay the premiums through
payroll deduction.
Coverage Options
Yourself. You can select one of the four coverage options shown below to cover
yourself, up to a maximum of $750,000.
Your spouse. You can cover your spouse for up to half the maximum amount
More Information
VRS has contracted with
Minnesota Life as the insurer
for the Group Life Insurance
Program. For more information
about your coverage, call
Minnesota Life toll-free at
1-800-441-2258.
of the coverage you select for yourself, not to exceed $375,000. Coverage for
your spouse ends when your coverage ends or if you and your spouse divorce.
If both you and your spouse are eligible to participate in the Optional Group
Life Insurance Program, neither of you can buy additional coverage for the other.
Your dependent children. You can cover each dependent child who is at least
15 days old for $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000, depending on the coverage option
you select for yourself. Coverage for dependent children ends when your coverage
ends or your child marries, becomes self-supporting, reaches age 21 or reaches age
25 as a dependent attending college full time. Coverage continues for dependent
unmarried children who are disabled.
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Optional Group Life Insurance Coverage Options
Option
Select one of the
following
Your Insurance
Amount
Spouse Insurance
Amount
Insurance Amount
per Dependent Child
Not to exceed $750,000
Not to exceed $375,000
At age 15 days
1
1 x your compensation
½ x your compensation
$10,000
2
2 x your compensation
1 x your compensation
$10,000
3
3 x your compensation
1½ x your compensation
$20,000
4
4 x your compensation
2 x your compensation
$30,000
Proof of Good Health
Coverage is guaranteed if you enroll in the Optional Group Life Insurance
Program within 31 days of your employment date or a qualifying event, such as
marriage or the birth or adoption of a child. Proof of good health (evidence of
insurability) is required if:
• You apply after 31 days from your employment date or a qualifying event.
• You wish to add your spouse or dependent child to your coverage after
31 days from your employment date.
• You wish to purchase more than $375,000 for yourself.
• You wish to increase your optional life insurance coverage for yourself
or your spouse.
• Your spouse�s insurance amount is more than half your salary.
Additional Information About Your Life Insurance
Coverage while on leave without pay. If you go on leave without pay or go on military leave,
your basic group life insurance coverage will continue for up to 24 months or for as long as
you are on military leave, provided the premiums are paid. If you have optional life insurance,
your coverage will continue as long as you pay the premiums and remain covered under the
basic group life program.
In the Event of Your Death
If you die while you are an
active member, your beneficiary
should contact your employer.
The employer will assist in
coordinating any benefits
that may be due. For more
information, see Losing a
Loved One: Guide for Families
available at www.varetire.org.
Group Life Insurance
Coverage After You Retire
See Chapter 13-Insurance
in Retirement.
Irrevocable assignment. You own your rights in your group life insurance coverage. That
means you can designate a beneficiary or exercise the accelerated death benefit option of
your policy. You may give your ownership rights to another living person or entity. However,
this is an irrevocable assignment; you cannot change it once it is made. Before making
an irrevocable assignment, contact a legal advisor or Minnesota Life toll-free at 1-800-4412258 for assistance.
Imputed income taxes. Imputed income is the cost of life insurance in excess of $50,000, as
determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is subject to FICA and income taxes and
is reflected in your W-2 you receive from your employer. When you retire, VRS will deduct
FICA taxes and report taxable or imputed income for as long as your group life insurance
coverage exceeds $50,000.
Child support liens. The Department of Social Services may file child support liens against
proceeds payable under the Group Life Insurance Program. VRS is required to pay life
insurance proceeds to the Department of Social Services to satisfy any outstanding child
support obligations at your death.
3 3 | CH 5 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Loans prohibited. You may not borrow from or use your group life insurance coverage to
secure a loan.
6
Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
(State Employees)
Income Protection for Non-Work-Related and Work-Related
Disabilities • Sick, Family and Personal Leave • Short-Term
Disability Coverage • Long-Term Disability Coverage •
Coordination With Other Benefits • How to File a Claim
Income Protection for Non-Work-Related
and Work-Related Disabilities
Are You a New
Faculty Member?
If you elected the VRS defined
benefit plan as your retirement
If you are a state employee, you are covered automatically under the Virginia
Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP) upon employment. If you are an
employee of a school division or a political subdivision, you are not eligible for
VSDP. You are eligible to be considered for VRS disability retirement if you have
a medical condition that prevents you from performing your job and is likely to
be permanent. For more information, see Chapter 7-Retiring on Disability.
plan, you will be enrolled
automatically in VSDP. If
you prefer to participate in
a disability program offered
by your institution, you must
opt out of VSDP. Submit the
College and University Opt-Out
Form (VSDP-2) to your human
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resource office. The form is
available at www.varetire.org.
For more information, contact
your human resource office.
VSDP provides income protection if you can’t work because of a non-work-related
or work-related illness, injury or other condition, such as surgery, pregnancy,
complications from pregnancy or a major chronic or catastrophic condition.
VSDP focuses on assisting you with your recovery and helping you make a safe
return to your full duties, if you are able. Benefits include:
• Sick leave
• Family and personal leave
• Income replacement if you can’t work
• Return-to-work, medical rehabilitation and vocational
rehabilitation programs
• Long-term care coverage
You are eligible for sick leave, family and personal leave, work-related disability
coverage and coverage under the VSDP Long-Term Care Plan from the first day
of employment. Eligibility periods for non-work-related disability coverage and
certain income replacement levels vary; see “Short-Term Disability Coverage” in
this chapter. For more information about long-term care coverage, see Chapter
8-Long-Term Care Programs.
Sick, Family and Personal Leave
Sick Leave
On January 10 of each year, you receive sick leave to use throughout the year
for personal illness, injury, pregnancy or visits with licensed treating healthcare
professionals. Your total months of career state service and full-time or part-time
status determine how much sick leave you receive, as shown in the following table:
What Is Career
State Service?
Career state service includes
Annual Sick Leave Amounts for Eligible Salaried State Employees
full-time and part-time salaried
state service and absences
Effective January 10 Each Year
for military leave, layoffs,
Months of Career State Service
If you are full time, you receive...
Fewer than 60 60-119
120 or more 64 hours
72 hours
80 hours
Months of Career State Service
If you are part time, you receive...
Fewer than 120
32 hours
120 or more
40 hours
temporary workforce reductions
or periods of reduced hours or
job restrictions while on shortterm or long-term disability.
If you need to be absent from work for an illness or injury of an immediate
family member, you may use up to 33 percent of your sick leave as provided
under Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) policy on the
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Immediate family members include a
spouse, parents, children or stepchildren under age 18, or children or stepchildren
over age 18 who cannot take care of themselves.
About Leave Allotments
You receive one allotment each of sick leave and family and personal leave to use
throughout the calendar year. You cannot carry over unused sick, family or personal leave
from year to year or be paid for unused sick, family or personal leave when you retire. For
more information about leave allotments when you are hired, refer to the Virginia Sickness
and Disability Program Handbook for State Employees available at www.varetire.org.
3 5 | CH 6 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
If you are employed in a nine-, 10- or 11-month position, you cannot use sick
leave or family and personal leave during the month(s) you are not scheduled
to work.
Family and Personal Leave
More Information
VRS has contracted with
On January 10 of each year, you receive family and personal leave in addition
to sick leave. You may use this leave for any family or personal reason, including
illness or injury. Your total months of career state service determine how much
family and personal leave you receive, as shown in the following table:
Reed Group as the third-party
administrator for the Virginia
Annual Family and Personal Leave Amounts for Eligible Salaried State Employees
Sickness and Disability
Effective January 10 Each Year
Program (VSDP). If you have
questions about your coverage,
call Reed Group toll-free at
1-877-928-7021; or visit www.
reedgroup.com/vsdp-claims.
Months of Career State Service
Fewer than 120
120 or more
If you are full time or part time,
you receive…
32 hours
40 hours
Also refer to the Virginia
Sickness and Disability Program
Short-Term Disability Coverage
Handbook for State Employees
available at www.varetire.org.
Non-Work-Related
Disability Coverage
During Your First Year of
Employment
VSDP short-term disability coverage provides income replacement for up to 125
workdays. If you are still disabled after 125 workdays, your claim will be reviewed
for long-term disability (see “Long-Term Disability Coverage” in this chapter).
The 125-workday period is based on a Monday-through-Friday workweek and
includes paid holidays. You are eligible for short-term disability coverage during
periods of total or partial disability.
If you would like to purchase
non-work-related disability
coverage for your first year
of employment, see the
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Fringe Benefits Management
Company at www.fbmc-benefits.
com/vaproviders for a list of
companies approved to handle
What Is a Disability?
Under VSDP, a disability is a condition that prevents you from working or performing the
full duties of your job for a short or extended period of time. The disability may be non-workrelated or work-related. A work-related disability is the result of an occupational illness
or injury that occurs on the job and the cause is determined to be compensable under the
Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act.
payment deductions for state
employees. The Commonwealth
Waiting Period
does not endorse any of these
The short-term disability benefit begins after seven calendar days from the first
day of your disability. You may file a claim before then. During the waiting
period, you may use sick leave or other eligible leave to cover your absence from
work with the approval of your supervisor. If you have been working a reduced
schedule or have a catastrophic or major chronic condition, the waiting period
may be waived.
companies.
Eligibility Periods and Income Replacement Levels
You become eligible for non-work-related disability coverage after one year of
continuous employment. You are eligible for work-related disability coverage from
the first day of employment. If you go on non-work-related short-term disability
after one year or on work-related short-term disability, you will receive 60 percent
of your pre-disability income. After five years of continuous employment, you
will become eligible for income replacement beginning at 100 percent of your
pre-disability income, which reduces to 80 percent and then 60 percent as shown
in the following tables:
If Your Condition Is
Catastrophic
If you are on short-term or
long-term disability receiving
60 percent of your predisability income, your income
replacement will increase to
80 percent if your condition is
Days of Income Replacement: Non-Work-Related Short-Term Disability
Months of Career Workdays at Workdays at Workdays at
State Service
100% Income
80% Income
60% Income
ReplacementReplacementReplacement
0-12000
13-590 0 125
60-119 25
25
75
120-17925 50 50
180 or more 25
75
25
determined to be catastrophic.
If your condition improves
and is no longer considered
catastrophic, your income
replacement will return to 60
percent.
A catastrophic condition means
you are unable to perform at
least two of the following six
activities of daily living:
Months of Career Workdays at Workdays at Workdays at
State Service
100% Income
80% Income
60% Income
ReplacementReplacementReplacement
Fewer than 60
0
0
125
60-11985 25 15
120 or more
85
40
0
* If you go on work-related short-term disability receiving only workers’ compensation and
retirement contributions are not withheld from your workers’ compensation payment, you may
be eligible to purchase service credit for the time you are on disability. For more information,
contact your human resource office. For more information about purchasing prior service,
see Chapter 4-Enhancing Your Benefit.
1.Bathing
2. Transferring, such as
getting in and out of bed
3.Dressing
4. Toileting (using the
bathroom)
5.Continence
6. Eating (ability to feed
oneself)
For more information, call Reed
Group toll-free at 1-877-9287021; or visit www.reedgroup.
Long-Term Disability Coverage
Long-term disability coverage provides income replacement if you become disabled
and cannot work for an extended period. The long-term disability benefit begins
after you have been on short-term disability for 125 workdays, as determined by
Reed Group. Income replacement for long-term disability is equal to 60 percent
com/vsdp-claims.
3 7 | CH 6 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Days of Income Replacement: Work-Related Short-Term Disability*
Do You Have a
of your pre-disability income, including any salary increases you receive while on
short-term disability. If your condition becomes catastrophic, you may be eligible
for an adjustment to your income replacement (see previous page).
Power of Attorney?
The VRS Durable Power of
Attorney (VRS-901) allows you
to name a person as your agent
to take actions on your behalf
You are eligible for long-term disability coverage if you cannot work at all or can
work at least 20 hours a week but cannot perform your full duties. To be eligible
to work a reduced schedule while on long-term disability, you must have been
working a reduced schedule during your short-term disability period.
in the event you no longer can
handle your own affairs. The
VRS-901 is for VRS matters
only. For more information, visit
www.varetire.org.
Coordination With Other Benefits
Workers’ compensation. If you suffer a work-related illness or injury and your
condition is determined to be compensable under the Virginia Workers’
Compensation Act, your VSDP work-related disability benefit will be adjusted
by any workers’ compensation benefits you receive.
Family and Medical Leave Act. You are eligible to take authorized unpaid leave
under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for certain personal or
family situations. This leave will be coordinated with your sick leave, family and
personal leave and VSDP disability coverage. For more information, contact your
human resource office.
Social Security disability benefits. If you are on long-term disability, you may be
required to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The
VSDP third-party administrator, Reed Group, will assist you with the application
process as well as the appeal process if your application is denied.
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Health insurance credit. If you are on long-term disability, you are eligible for a
health insurance credit of $120 per month or $4 per year of creditable service
per month at the time you become disabled, whichever is higher, not to exceed
the amount of your individual health insurance premiums. The health insurance
credit is a tax-free benefit that assists with health insurance premiums you pay
for single coverage, excluding any portion of the premiums covering a spouse or
dependents. For more information about the health insurance credit, see Chapter
13-Insurance in Retirement.
Deferred compensation plan. If you participate in the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan,
your contributions and the cash match will continue while you are on short-term
disability or on long-term disability-working, unless you are receiving only a
workers’ compensation benefit. If you are on long-term disability (not working),
your contributions and the cash match will stop.
How to File a Claim
Call Reed Group toll-free at 1-877-928-7021 to begin the claim process. You
do not have to wait until the end of the seven-calendar day waiting period.
Reed Group also will advise you about whether this waiting period can be
waived. A family member or friend may call on your behalf. Have the following
information ready:
• Job title and agency
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Current mailing address
Note
You are responsible for
contacting Reed Group as
soon as possible to submit
your claim. You are not eligible
to receive benefits more than
14 days before the date you
contact Reed Group.
• Brief description of your disability
• Last day you were or will be able to work
• Name, address, phone number and fax number of your doctor or other
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licensed treating healthcare professional
7
Retiring on Disability
Eligibility • Medical Review • Non-Work-Related Disability
Retirement Benefit • Work-Related Disability Retirement
Benefit • Benefit Payout Options • Applying for Disability
Retirement • After You Retire on Disability
Eligibility
More Information
The VRS Disability Retirement
Handbook for Members
provides more details as well
as instructions and forms to
assist you with the application
If you are an employee of a school division or a political subdivision and cannot
perform your job because of a medical condition that is likely to be permanent,
you may be eligible to retire on disability. You are not eligible to retire on
disability if you are a state employee covered under the Virginia Sickness and
Disability Program (VSDP), you defer retirement or you take a refund of your
member contributions and interest.
process. The handbook is
available at www.varetire.org.
Under the provisions for VRS disability retirement, a disability may be:
• The result of a physical illness or injury, or a cognitive condition. A
Creditable Service for
Workers’ Compensation
If you are on leave without
pay receiving only workers’
compensation and retirement
contributions are not being
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withheld from your workers’
compensation payment, you may
be eligible to purchase up to 24
months of creditable service for
this period. You must purchase
this service before you retire on
disability. For more information,
contact your human resource
office. For more information
about purchasing prior service,
see Chapter 4-Enhancing Your
Benefit.
cognitive disability is a loss or deterioration in intellectual capacity,
such as Alzheimer’s disease.
• Non-work-related or work-related. A work-related disability is the result
of an occupational illness or injury that occurs on the job and the cause is
determined to be compensable under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act.
• A chronic condition, such as diabetes or mental illness, that worsens to the
point that you no longer can perform your job duties.
If you were disabled before becoming employed in a covered position, your condition
must significantly worsen for you to be considered for disability retirement.
There are no minimum requirements for age or service under VRS disability
retirement. You can apply from the first day of covered employment or within 90
days of your last day of employment. If you are on leave without pay, you have up
to 24 consecutive months on leave without pay to apply for disability retirement;
after 24 months, you are no longer eligible to apply. If you are on active duty
military leave, you can apply at any time while on military leave.
Medical Review
As provided in the Code of Virginia, VRS has hired an independent medical
board to review the medical and job information submitted with applications for
disability retirement and to recommend to VRS whether to approve or deny an
application. The VRS Medical Board bases its recommendation on several factors,
including whether your condition prevents you from performing your job and is
likely to be permanent. Your doctor must submit all required objective medical
evidence for your condition. If your doctor does not submit this information, you
can request a copy of your medical records and submit this to VRS; you will be
responsible for any costs associated with collecting this information.
The Medical Board may require an independent examination by a specialist.
You will be notified in this event. If you refuse the examination, your disability
retirement application may be denied.
Non-Work-Related Disability Retirement Benefit
If you are vested (you have at least five years of creditable service) and have a nonwork-related disability, the amount of the disability retirement benefit will be the
VRS formula amount or the minimum guaranteed benefit, as described below,
whichever is higher. If you are not vested, you will be eligible for the minimum
guaranteed benefit only.
VRS Formula Amount
• If you are under age 60, the benefit will be equal to 1.65 percent of your average
final compensation multiplied by (a) twice the amount of your total creditable
service or (b) your actual creditable service plus the number of years remaining
between your age at disability retirement and age 60, whichever is less.
• If you are age 60 or older, the benefit will be equal to 1.65 percent of your
Minimum Guaranteed Benefit
The minimum guaranteed benefit calculation will be adjusted by any primary
Social Security benefits you are eligible to receive:
• If you are eligible for a full Social Security benefit, the VRS minimum
guaranteed benefit will be equal to 33⅓ percent of your average final
compensation. You will receive the minimum guaranteed benefit or the full
VRS formula amount, whichever is higher.
• If you are eligible for a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit, the
VRS minimum guaranteed benefit will be equal to 50 percent of your average
41 | CH 7 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
average final compensation multiplied by your total creditable service.
What Is Average
Final Compensation?
Average final compensation
is the average of your 60
consecutive months of highest
creditable compensation as a
covered employee. It is one of
the factors used to calculate
the disability retirement
benefit as well as the service
final compensation. You will receive the minimum guaranteed benefit or the
full VRS formula amount, whichever is higher, until the effective date of your
eligibility for SSDI. VRS will then adjust your benefit to 33⅓ percent of your
average final compensation; you will receive this amount if it is higher than
the full VRS formula amount. If applicable, this adjustment will be retroactive
to your effective SSDI eligibility date and reflected in your VRS benefit.
• If you are not eligible for a full Social Security benefit and your SSDI claim is
denied, the VRS minimum guaranteed benefit will be equal to 50 percent of
your average final compensation. You will receive the minimum guaranteed
benefit or the full VRS formula amount, whichever is higher. You must
submit a copy of your SSDI denial letter or your letter appealing the denial
with your VRS disability retirement application.
retirement benefit.
What Are Primary Social Security Benefits?
The amount of the non-work-related minimum guaranteed benefit or the work-related
guaranteed benefit is adjusted by any primary Social Security benefits you are eligible to
receive. A primary Social Security benefit is a full (normal) Social Security retirement benefit
or a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit. If you are not eligible for full Social
Security when you retire on VRS disability, even if you qualify for an early Social Security
retirement benefit, you must apply for benefits under SSDI. A Social Security age chart is
provided in Chapter 2-Your Retirement Plan.
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Coordinating Your Applications for SSDI and VRS Disability Retirement
Be sure to include a copy of the Receipt of Application, decision letter or online application
confirmation you receive from the Social Security Administration with your VRS disability
retirement application. If you do not provide this information and your VRS disability
retirement application is approved, VRS will be required to pay 33¹⁄³ percent of your average
final compensation or the full VRS formula amount, whichever is less. Note: If you apply for
SSDI before you leave your position, your SSDI application may be denied based on your
current income. A denial of SSDI benefits will result in your receiving the lesser amount.
Work-Related Disability Retirement Benefit
If you suffer an occupational illness or injury on the job and the cause is
determined to be compensable under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act,
you may be eligible to retire on work-related disability. VRS does not determine
whether your disability is work-related. You must file a claim under the act and
include a copy of the letter from the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission
approving your claim or a copy of a workers’ compensation award letter as well as
an accident report, if applicable, with your disability retirement application.
Work-Related Disability Benefit Calculation
If you retire on work-related disability, you will receive a refund of your member
contribution account balance in addition to a monthly benefit. The monthly
benefit calculation will be adjusted first by any primary Social Security benefits
you are eligible to receive:
• If you are eligible for a full Social Security benefit, the VRS work-related
guaranteed benefit will be equal to 50 percent of your average final
compensation. You will receive the guaranteed benefit or the full VRS formula
amount as described in “Non-Work-Related Disability Retirement Benefit,”
whichever is higher.
• If you are eligible for a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit,
the VRS work-related guaranteed benefit will be equal to 66⅔ percent of your
average final compensation. You will receive the guaranteed benefit or the full
VRS formula amount, whichever is higher, until the effective date of your
eligibility for SSDI. VRS will then adjust your benefit to 50 percent of your
average final compensation; you will receive this amount if it is higher than
the full VRS formula amount. If applicable, this adjustment will be retroactive
to your effective SSDI eligibility date and reflected in your VRS benefit.
Applying for Workers’
Compensation
Your human resource office will
assist you with your workers’
compensation claim. For more
information, visit the Virginia
Workers’ Compensation
Commission website at
www.vwc.state.va.us. If you
are a state employee, see also
the Department of Human
Resource Management’s website
at www.dhrm.virginia.gov.
• If you are not eligible for a full Social Security benefit and your SSDI claim is
denied, the VRS work-related guaranteed benefit will be equal to 66⅔ percent
of your average final compensation. You will receive the guaranteed benefit
or the VRS formula amount, whichever is higher. You must submit a copy
of your SSDI denial letter or your letter appealing the denial with your VRS
disability retirement application.
The benefit amount will then be adjusted by any workers’ compensation benefits
you receive:
• If your workers’ compensation benefit is equal to or greater than your VRS
disability retirement benefit, you will not receive a VRS benefit unless your
workers’ compensation benefit is reduced or ends.
retirement benefit, VRS will pay the difference between the two benefits to
bring you to your VRS benefit amount.
• If you receive a lump-sum workers’ compensation settlement, VRS will
determine the monthly value of the settlement and then adjust your VRS
benefit accordingly.
Important note if you retire on work-related disability: If you do not comply with
the provisions of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act and your workers’
compensation benefits end, or if you are approved to work with job modifications,
your VRS disability retirement benefit will continue to be offset by the workers’
4 3 | CH 7 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
• If your workers’ compensation benefit is less than your VRS disability
Taxes and the WorkRelated Disability Benefit
Refunds of pre-tax member
compensation amount. If you are notified of a change or end to your workers’
compensation benefits, send a copy of the notification letter to VRS at P.O. Box
2500, Richmond, VA 23218-2500 as soon as possible.
contributions and interest are
Benefit Payout Options
subject to income taxes. The
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
also may impose an additional
10 percent tax penalty if you
receive a refund before age
59½; there are exceptions to
this rule. To defer taxes, the
refund can be rolled over to an
Individual Retirement Account
(IRA) or another qualified plan.
For more information, read the
IRS 402(f) Special Tax Notice
available at www.varetire.org/
irs402f.
If you retire on work-related
disability with the guaranteed
benefit, your benefit will not be
subject to federal or state
income taxes. The work-related
benefit based on the VRS
formula amount is subject to
income taxes. For more
information, contact a tax
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advisor or the IRS toll-free at
1-800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov.
Changing Your Survivor
You can change your survivor
only once. If you elect the
Survivor Option and need to
change your survivor after
you retire, call VRS toll-free
If you apply for disability retirement, you will choose how you want to receive
your benefit. The payout options are the Basic Benefit and Survivor Option. The
payout option you elect is irrevocable. That means you cannot change it after you
retire, with the exception of the Survivor Option under some conditions.
Note: The Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP) and the Advance Pension
Option are not available to members who retire on disability.
Basic Benefit
The Basic Benefit is based on your average final compensation at retirement
and whether you are retiring on non-work-related or work-related disability. The
benefit amount is adjusted by any primary Social Security benefits or workers’
compensation benefits you are eligible to receive, as described in this chapter. The
Basic Benefit does not provide a continuation of a benefit to a survivor. However,
your beneficiary will be eligible for a lump-sum payment of any funds remaining
in your member contribution account upon your death.
Survivor Option
With this option, you elect to receive a lower monthly benefit during your
retirement so that your survivor can receive a monthly benefit after your death.
If you elect this option, you will choose a whole percentage of your benefit,
between 10 percent and 100 percent, to go to your survivor. Your benefit amount
will be based on this percentage, your age and the age of your survivor at your
disability retirement date.
You can name any living person as your survivor; you also can name more than
one survivor. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may limit the amount of
your benefit that can go to a non-spouse survivor. For additional information,
including a chart on maximum survivor option percentages, contact the IRS
toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov.
Changing the Survivor Option. You can name a new survivor or revert to
the Basic Benefit if:
at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-
• Your survivor dies;
3847) for assistance.
• Your survivor is your spouse and you divorce with fewer than 20 years
of marriage;
• Your survivor is your spouse, you divorce after 20 or more years of marriage
and your spouse dies, remarries or consents in writing to a change in benefit; or
• You provide VRS written consent from your survivor giving up claim to
a benefit along with proof of your survivor’s good health.
Note: If you are divorced and VRS has an Approved Domestic Relations Order
(ADRO) on file, your benefit must be paid as directed by the ADRO. For more
information about attachments to retirement benefits, see Chapter 12-Receiving
Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan Payments.
Applying for Disability Retirement
Retirement Date and Monthly Benefit Payments
Disability retirement is effective on the first of the month. Your monthly benefit
will begin following a bona fide break in service of at least one full calendar
month from your retirement date over a period you normally would work.
Forms and Documents
Forms are available at www.varetire.org. Read the directions on all forms carefully
and provide all signatures and required documents. If you need help applying
Do You Have a Power
of Attorney?
The VRS Durable Power of
Attorney (VRS-901) allows you to
name a person as your agent to
for disability retirement, your human resource office, a family member or an
individual authorized to act on your behalf, such as an agent named under
a power of attorney or a legal guardian, may be able to assist you. For more
information, call VRS at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847).
take actions on your behalf and
Your application must include:
For more information, visit
• Application for Disability Retirement (VRS-6). If you are married or
in accordance with your wishes
in the event you no longer can
handle your own affairs. The
VRS-901 is for VRS matters only.
www.varetire.org.
separated, your spouse must complete the spouse certification section and sign
on or after the date you sign the application. Your employer also must certify
and sign your application and include a copy of your job description.
• Explanation of Disability (VRS-6A)
complete this form and attach all relevant objective medical evidence.
• Employer Information for Disability Application (VRS-6D)
• Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2)
• Request for Income Tax Withholding (VRS-15). Submit this form if you are
applying for non-work-related disability retirement. If you are applying for
work-related disability retirement, you will be asked to submit this form if you
will be receiving the formula amount. Do not submit the VRS-15 if you will
be receiving the work-related guaranteed benefit; this benefit is tax exempt.
• Authorization for Direct Deposit of Monthly Benefit (VRS-57)
4 5 | CH 7 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
• Physician’s Report (VRS-6B). Each doctor you list on the VRS-6A must
Other forms and documents you may need:
• If you are electing the Survivor Option, acceptable legible evidence of your
Disability Reexamination
survivor’s date of birth
After you retire on disability,
• Request for Estimate of Disability Retirement Benefits (VRS-6C)
you will be required to provide
• If you are not eligible for a full Social Security retirement benefit,
updated medical information
until your normal retirement
age under your plan. You
also may be required to have
annual follow-up examinations
until you reach your normal
retirement age. If you refuse
to provide updated information
or be examined, your benefits
will stop until you comply. If
you refuse to comply for six
months following a request
for reexamination or if VRS
determines you are no longer
disabled, your benefits will end.
documentation that you have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI) benefits, such as a copy of the Receipt of Application, decision letter or
online confirmation
• If you are applying for work-related disability retirement, copy of the letter
from the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission approving your claim
or copy of your workers’ compensation award letter as well as an accident
report, if applicable
• Request for Health Insurance Credit (VRS-45) if VRS will not be deducting
retiree health insurance premiums from your monthly benefit. If VRS will
be deducting premiums, you do not need to apply for it; VRS will apply the
credit automatically to your benefit payment. If you are an employee of a
school division or a political subdivision, contact your human resource office
about retiree health insurance your employer may offer. Some employers have
arranged with VRS to deduct retiree health insurance premiums from the
monthly benefit. For more information, see “After You Retire on Disability”
on the next page.
Service Retirement Pending Approval of Disability Retirement
If you are eligible for service (regular) retirement when you apply for disability
retirement, it may be to your advantage to apply for both:
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• If you apply for non-work-related disability retirement and your application is
denied, you can begin receiving a service retirement benefit, even if you decide
to appeal the denial.
• For work-related disability retirement, VRS cannot process your service
retirement application while your disability retirement application is pending.
However, if your disability retirement application is denied and all appeals
have been exhausted, the retirement date and benefit payout option you elect
on your service retirement application will be honored.
Applying for service retirement. Complete the Application for Service Retirement
(VRS-5), electing the Basic Benefit or Survivor Option, and submit the
application with your disability retirement application. Your employer will
certify both applications. If you wish to retire under the Partial Lump-Sum
Option Payment (PLOP) or Advance Pension Option in the event your disability
application is denied, include a second service retirement application electing one
of these payout options; your employer does not have to certify this application.
For more information about service retirement, see Chapter 2-Your Retirement
Plan and Chapter 11-Getting Ready to Retire.
Is Disability Retirement Your Best Option?
Even if you have a disability that is likely to be permanent, you do not have to retire on
disability. If you qualify for service retirement, compare a disability retirement estimate
with your service retirement estimate to see which option would best meet your retirement
needs. For estimates, contact your human resource office or call VRS at 1-888-VARETIR
(1-888-827-3847) for assistance.
After You Retire on Disability
Receiving Your Benefit and the COLA
Your disability retirement benefit will be deposited to the financial institution
account you designate on the Authorization for Direct Deposit of Monthly
Benefit (VRS-57). You are eligible for a COLA effective July 1 following one
full calendar year (January 1 to December 31) from the effective date of your
disability retirement. The COLA will be reflected in your August 1 benefit
payment. If you elect the Survivor Option, the COLA calculation will be based
on your reduced benefit amount. During years of no inflation or deflation, the
COLA will be 0 percent.
Benefits and Insurance
in Retirement
For more information about
the COLA, taxes, group life
insurance, retiree health
insurance if you are a state
Taxes
employee and the health
Your benefit will be subject to federal income taxes and, if you live in Virginia,
state income taxes, unless you retire on work-related disability with the
guaranteed benefit. If taxes are being withheld from your benefit, you will receive
a 1099-R form from VRS each January for the previous calendar year’s benefit
payments and tax withholdings. You will file this form with your federal and
state income tax returns.
insurance credit, see Chapter
If you have VRS group life insurance coverage, some basic benefits will continue
after you retire on disability. Your coverage will begin to reduce by 25 percent
beginning on the January 1 following one calendar year from your normal
retirement age under your plan. It will continue to reduce by 25 percent each
and Deferred Compensation
Plan Payments and Chapter
13-Insurance in Retirement.
47 | CH 7 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Group Life Insurance Coverage
12-Receiving Retirement
January 1 until it reaches 25 percent of its original value. Example: If age 67 is
your normal retirement age and you turn 67 on May 2, 2020, your first 25 percent
reduction will occur on January 1, 2022. If you have at least 30 years of creditable
service, your coverage cannot reduce below $8,000. This minimum will be
increased annually based on the VRS Plan 2 cost-of-living adjustment calculation.
Important Note if You
Return to Covered
Employment
If you retire on disability
and then return to covered
employment, you will retire
under service retirement
when you retire again. The
period of time you were
retired on disability will be
included in the calculation
of your service retirement
benefit. If you wish to be
considered for disability
retirement again, you must
reapply by submitting all
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required disability retirement
forms and documents. Your
application will be evaluated
under the medical review
process based on the duties
of your new position.
If you have optional group life insurance coverage, you may continue a portion
of your coverage into retirement if you and your spouse and dependent children,
if applicable, were continuously covered during the 60 months preceding your
retirement date. If you were covered for fewer than 60 months before retirement, your
coverage will continue until the end of the month in which you reach your normal
retirement age. In either case, you have the option to convert your coverage to an
individual policy upon retirement. For more information, contact Minnesota Life, the
insurer for the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, toll-free at 1-800-441-2258.
Health Insurance Credit
The health insurance credit is a tax-free benefit that assists with health insurance
premiums you pay for single coverage, excluding any portion of the premiums
covering a spouse or dependents. The credit cannot exceed the amount of your
monthly premiums.
• If you retire on disability as a teacher or school administrator, the maximum
health insurance credit is either (a) $4 multiplied by twice the amount of your
creditable service per month or (b) $4 multiplied by the amount of service
you would have earned had you remained an active employee until age 60 per
month, whichever is less.
• If you retire on disability as a political subdivision employee and your
employer participates in the health insurance credit program, the maximum
health insurance credit is $45 per month.
Working After Disability Retirement
In some cases, you can continue to receive your disability retirement benefits
if you work in a temporary, hourly or other non-covered position with a VRSparticipating employer. If you work for any employer in a position that requires
the same or similar duties as those you performed before retiring on disability,
including non-covered employment with a VRS-participating employer, your
disability retirement benefits will end. If you return to covered employment, your
benefits will end and you will become an active member.
If you are considering employment after you retire on disability, contact VRS
toll-free at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847) to determine whether the position
would disqualify you from continuing to receive your disability retirement
benefits. For more information, see also Chapter 14-Working After Retirement.
8
Long-Term Care Programs
VSDP Long-Term Care Plan (State Employees)
VSDP Long-Term Care Plan (State Employees)
If you are a state employee, you are covered under the VSDP Long-Term Care
Plan at no cost to you. The VSDP Long-Term Care Plan assists with the cost of:
• Care in a nursing home or hospice facility
• Assisted living facility care
• Community-based care
• Home healthcare services
Include Long-Term Care
in Financial and
Retirement Planning
Many of us don’t think about
long-term care as part of
• Informal care-giving
financial or retirement planning.
• Alternative or transitional care
But most health insurance
plans don’t cover long-term
• You are unable to perform at least two of six activities of daily living; or
• You have a severe cognitive impairment requiring substantial supervision.
The maximum daily benefit amount is $96 with a lifetime maximum of $70,080.
More information about covered services is available at www.varetire.org.
How to file a claim. VRS has contracted with the Long Term Care Group, Inc. as
the third-party administrator for the VSDP Long-Term Care Plan. Call the Long
Term Care Group, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-761-4057 within 60 days of certification
by a licensed healthcare professional that you qualify for benefits. A family
member or friend may call on your behalf.
care services. And anyone
at any age may need these
services, the cost of which
can quickly deplete savings
or retirement income. The
long-term care programs
administered by VRS can help
you plan for the expense of
long-term care services should
you need them.
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You may be eligible for benefits if a licensed healthcare professional certifies that:
If you leave or retire from your position, your VSDP long-term care coverage will end.
Six Activities of
Daily Living
1.Bathing
2.Transferring, such as getting
in and out of bed
3.Dressing
4.Toileting (using the bathroom)
5.Continence
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6.Eating (ability to feed oneself)
You can elect to continue your coverage, which will be retroactive to your last day
of employment; you will pay the premiums. You will qualify for the same benefits
as active participants and must meet the same eligibility requirements when
submitting a claim for covered services.
To continue your coverage, submit the Authorization of Coverage Retention
for the Long Term Care Plan (VSDP or VLDP) (VRS-170) and the Protection
Against Unintentional Lapse of Long Term Care (VSDP or VLDP) (VRS-171)
within 60 days of your last day of employment to the Long Term Care Group,
Inc. at P.O. Box 64011, St. Paul, MN 55164-0011. The forms are available at
www.varetire.org. This option is not available after 60 days.
9
Death-in-Service Benefits
What Is a Death-in-Service Benefit? • Non-Work-Related
Cause of Death • Work-Related Cause of Death
What Is a Death-in-Service Benefit?
A death-in-service benefit is a payment of any member contributions and interest
in your member contribution account to your named beneficiary or your spouse,
natural or legally adopted minor child or parent in the event of your death as
an active member (while you are in service). The benefit may be a lump-sum
payment, a monthly benefit or both. This payment is in addition to any life
insurance benefits you may have.
Designating a Beneficiary
You can name any living
person or an entity, such as
an eligible trust or charity,
as your beneficiary. For more
Non-Work-Related Cause of Death
If you die while you are an active member from a non-work-related cause, your
named beneficiary or your spouse, natural or legally adopted minor child or
parent will be eligible for a death-in-service benefit according to whether or not
you are vested (you have at least five years of creditable service) at the time of
your death:
information about beneficiary
designations, see Chapter 5Group Life Insurance Program.
• If you are vested and your spouse, natural or legally adopted minor child or
• If you are not vested, either your designated beneficiary or, if none, your
beneficiary based on order of precedence will be eligible for a lump-sum
payment only.
51 | CH 9 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
parent is one of your named beneficiaries, or is your beneficiary based on order
of precedence (see “Death-in-Service Order of Precedence” in this chapter),
he or she will be eligible for a lump-sum payment of any balance in your
member contribution account or a monthly benefit to the exclusion of all
other primary beneficiaries.
Non-Work-Related Monthly Benefit Calculation
What Is Average
Final Compensation?
Average final compensation
is the average of your 60
consecutive months of highest
creditable compensation as a
covered employee. It is one of
the factors used to calculate
your retirement benefit.
Taxes and Member
Contribution Account
Payments
Lump-sum payments of pretax member contributions
and interest are subject to
income taxes. The Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) also
may impose an additional
10 percent tax penalty on
member contributions received
before age 59½; there are
5 2 | W W W.VARE TIRE.ORG • 1- 8 8 8 -VARE TIR (1- 8 8 8 - 827-3847) PL A N 2
exceptions to this rule. To
defer taxes, the payment can
be rolled over to an Individual
Retirement Account (IRA) or
another qualified plan. For more
information, read the IRS 402(f)
Special Tax Notice available
at www.varetire.org/irs402f; or
contact a tax advisor or the IRS
toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 or
www.irs.gov.
The non-work-related monthly benefit is calculated based on your average final
compensation, your total creditable service, your age and the age of your eligible
named beneficiary at the time of your death. Your age and your beneficiary’s
age are calculated as follows:
• If you die before age 60, you are presumed to be age 60 for purposes of
calculating the benefit. If your beneficiary is younger than you, the age
difference is subtracted from age 60 to arrive at his or her adjusted age.
If your beneficiary is older than you, the age difference is added to age 60
to arrive at his or her adjusted age.
• If you die at age 60 or older, your age and the actual age of your beneficiary
are used to calculate the benefit.
Work-Related Cause of Death
A work-related cause of death is the result of an occupational illness or injury
that occurs on the job and the cause is determined to be compensable under the
Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act. If you die while you are an active member
from a work-related cause, your named beneficiary will be eligible for a lumpsum payment of any funds remaining in your member contribution account.
In addition, your spouse, natural or legally adopted minor child or parent will
be eligible for a monthly benefit according to an order of precedence (see next
page). If this individual also is your named beneficiary, he or she will receive
both benefits.
Work-Related Monthly Benefit Calculation
• If your spouse, natural or legally adopted minor child or parent is eligible for
Social Security survivor benefits, the VRS work-related benefit will be equal to
33⅓ percent of your average final compensation at the time of your death. If
he or she is not eligible for Social Security survivor benefits, the VRS workrelated benefit will be equal to 50 percent of your average final compensation
at the time of your death.
• If your spouse, natural or legally adopted minor child or parent is eligible for
a workers’ compensation survivor benefit, the VRS work-related benefit will
supplement the workers’ compensation benefit. The VRS benefit also may be
exempt from income taxes.
Death-in-Service Order of Precedence
The death-in-service benefit may be a lump-sum payment of any balance remaining in your member
contribution account, a monthly benefit or both. As required by law, VRS will pay a death-in-service
More Information
benefit according to the following order of precedence if you die from a non-work-related cause and
In the event of your death,
there is no valid beneficiary designation on file or your named beneficiary is deceased. If you die from
Losing a Loved One: Guide
a work-related cause, your spouse, natural or legally adopted minor child or parent will be eligible for
for Families will help your
a monthly benefit as well as a lump-sum payment of your member contribution account balance if he
beneficiary or survivor know
or she also is your named beneficiary.
what to do regarding benefit
If no spouse, to your
natural or legally
adopted minor child or
children
If none of the above, to
your parent or parents
If none of the above
If your spouse is eligible for a monthly benefit, the benefit
will continue if your spouse remarries. It will end when your
spouse dies.
If you have more than one natural or legally adopted minor child,
each child will receive an equal share of the death-in-service
benefit. If they are eligible for a monthly benefit, the youngest
child’s age will be used to calculate the benefit. As each child
reaches age 18, his or her share of the benefit will be redistributed
equally among the remaining minor children. The benefit will end
when the last child reaches age 18.
If both parents are living, each parent will receive an equal share
of the death-in-service benefit. If they are eligible for a monthly
benefit, the youngest parent’s age will be used to calculate the
benefit. When one parent dies, the other parent will receive the
deceased parent’s share. The benefit will end when the surviving
parent dies.
claims. The publication is
available at www.varetire.org.
In addition:
• For more information about
workers’ compensation
survivor benefits, contact
your human resource office.
If you are a state employee,
see also the Department
of Human Resource
Management website at
www.dhrm.virginia.gov.
• For more information
about Social Security
survivor benefits, contact
the Social Security
Any funds remaining in your member contribution account will be
paid in a lump sum accordingly:
Administration toll-free at
• To your natural or legally adopted adult child or children
www.socialsecurity.gov.
• If none, to the descendants of your deceased natural or legally
adopted adult child or children
1-800-772-1213 or visit
• For more information about
income taxes, contact the
• If none, to the duly appointed executor or administrator of
your estate
Internal Revenue Service
• If none, to your next of kin under the laws of the state where
you resided at the time of your death
1-800-829-1040 or visit
(IRS) toll-free at
www.irs.gov.
5 3 | CH 9 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
First, to your spouse
10
Leaving Employment
Options if You Leave Your Job • Impact on Benefit Coverage •
Severance Benefits
Options if You Leave Your Job
Before You Decide
Through myVRS, you can check
your member contribution
account balance and view
other information from your
member record. Knowing this
information may help you
weigh your options if you are
thinking of leaving covered
employment. To register or
If you leave covered employment and do not retire, you can take a refund of your
member contributions and interest or leave your member contribution account
balance with VRS and become a deferred member.
Taking a Refund
If you request a refund and are vested (you have at least five years of creditable
service) or involuntarily separated from employment for causes other than job
performance or misconduct, you will be eligible for a full refund of your member
contribution account balance. If you are not vested, you will be eligible for a
refund of the balance, excluding any member contributions made by your employer
to your account after July 1, 2010, and the interest on these contributions.
log into your secure online
account, select myVRS from
Requesting a refund. Log into your myVRS account (myVRS.varetire.org) and
www.varetire.org. You also can
submit an online request for a refund.
contact your human resource
office or VRS at 1-888-VARETIR
5 4 | W W W.VARE TIRE.ORG • 1- 8 8 8 -VARE TIR (1- 8 8 8 - 827-3847) PL A N 2
(1-888-827-3847) for
assistance.
Refunds cannot be processed until at least a full calendar month after you have
left all employment with a VRS-participating employer, including non-covered
employment, and are no longer being reported to VRS by your employer.
Periods of leave with or without pay do not count toward satisfying this break
from employment. If you are a teacher or faculty member, summer breaks and
intersession periods also do not count toward this break. Examples:
• You are leaving your job as an administrative assistant at the Virginia
Department of Taxation effective June 12 and have requested a refund. The
earliest VRS can process your refund is August.
• You are a teacher on a contract for the period August 1 to May 31. You plan
to leave your position at the end of your contract and have requested a refund.
The earliest VRS can process your refund is October.
Taxes on refunds. If you have your refund paid directly to you, VRS will withhold
federal taxes of 20 percent and, if you live in Virginia, state taxes of 4 percent.
Any after-tax member contributions in your refund will not be taxed again.
If you have your refund paid directly to you before age 59½, the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) may impose an additional 10 percent tax penalty for early
withdrawal of member contributions; there are exceptions to this rule.
Moving to Another
Covered Position?
If you move to another covered
position, you will come under
the plan provisions of the
You can defer taxes by rolling over your refund to an Individual Retirement
Account (IRA) or another qualified plan that accepts rollovers. For more
information, read the IRS 402(f) Special Tax Notice available at www.varetire.org/
irs402f; or contact a tax advisor or the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 or
www.irs.gov.
Becoming a Deferred Member
If you leave your member contributions with VRS, you will become a deferred
member. If you are vested, you may be eligible for a future retirement benefit
if you meet the age and service requirements for your plan. For information on
qualifying for retirement, see Chapter 2-Your Retirement Plan. If you return to
covered employment, member contributions and the creditable service you earn
upon reemployment will be added to your member record.
new position for retirement
and other benefits. For more
information, refer to the current
member handbooks available
at www.varetire.org or contact
your human resource office.
Before Leaving Your Position
If you are not taking a refund,
submit a Name and Address
Declaration for Deferred
Members (VRS-3A) to VRS.
Use the VRS-3A to notify VRS
As a deferred member, you will remain eligible to request a refund of your
member contributions and interest. You will receive a full or partial refund, as
described on the previous page.
of any future address changes.
The form is available at
www.varetire.org.
Deferring retirement. If you have reached retirement eligibility when you leave
VRS communication. As a deferred member, you will have access to myVRS, where
you can view information from your member record and plan for retirement
online. To register or log into your secure online account, select myVRS from
www.varetire.org.
5 5 | CH 10 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
covered employment, you can defer receiving a retirement benefit until a later
date. If you decide to defer retirement, submit an Application for Service
Retirement (VRS-5) to VRS at least 60 days, but not more than four months
(120 days), before the date you wish to retire. For more information about
applying for retirement, see Chapter 11-Getting Ready to Retire.
Impact on Benefit Coverage
Group Life Insurance
More Information
See Chapter 5-Group Life
Insurance Program and Chapter
13-Insurance in Retirement.
Basic group life insurance coverage. If you are covered under the VRS Group Life
Insurance Program and leave covered employment before you are eligible to
retire, or if you take a refund of your member contributions and interest, your
basic group life insurance coverage will end within 31 days of the end of the
month in which the last premium is paid. If you die before the end of this
period, your beneficiary will receive your natural death benefit. You can convert
your coverage to an individual policy if you leave employment before you
reach retirement eligibility. If you have reached retirement eligibility but defer
retirement and do not take a refund of your member contributions and interest,
some basic life insurance benefits will continue after you leave your position.
Optional group life insurance coverage. If you have optional group life insurance
coverage and leave covered employment, you may convert your coverage to an
individual policy. If you do not convert your coverage and you die within 31 days
of the end of the month in which the last premium is paid, your beneficiary will
receive your optional life insurance natural death benefit.
Converting your group life insurance coverage. If you wish to convert your coverage,
you must do so within 31 days of your last day of employment; you will pay the
premiums. Proof of good health will not be required. This option is not available
after 31 days. Submit a Conversion of Group Life Insurance Enrollment (VRS-35E)
to Minnesota Life at P.O. Box 1193, Richmond, VA 23218-1193. The form is
available at www.varetire.org. For more information, call 1-800-441-2258.
5 6 | W W W.VARE TIRE.ORG • 1- 8 8 8 -VARE TIR (1- 8 8 8 - 827-3847) PL A N 2
Health Insurance
If you are a state employee, your health insurance coverage will end on the last
day of the month in which you leave covered employment. You may elect to
extend your health insurance for up to 18 months from this date or convert
your coverage to an individual policy; you will pay the premiums. For more
information, visit the Department of Human Resource Management website at
www.dhrm.virginia.gov, or call Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield toll-free at
1-800-552-2682.
If you are an employee of a school division or a political subdivision, check with your
human resource office about health insurance coverage if you leave employment.
Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (State Employees)
If you are enrolled in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP) and leave
your position, your eligibility for VSDP will end with your last day of employment.
Long-Term Care Coverage
VSDP Long-Term Care Plan. If you leave or retire as a VSDP-covered employee, your
VSDP long-term care coverage will end. You can elect to continue your coverage,
which will be retroactive to your last day of employment; you will pay the premiums.
Submit the Authorization of Coverage Retention for the Long Term Care Plan
(VSDP or VLDP) (VRS-170) and the Protection Against Unintentional Lapse of
Long Term Care (VSDP or VLDP) (VRS-171) within 60 days of your last day of
employment to the Long Term Care Group, Inc. at P.O. Box 64011, St. Paul, MN
55164-0011. The forms are available at www.varetire.org. This option is not available
after 60 days.
More Information About
Long-Term Care Coverage
See Chapter 8-Long-Term Care
Programs for an overview of
the VSDP Long-Term Care Plan.
Additional details also are
available at www.varetire.org.
Annual Leave and Sick Leave
If you leave covered employment, you may be eligible for a payment of
unused annual leave. If you are not enrolled in VSDP, you also may be eligible
for a payment of unused sick leave. Contact your human resource office for
more information.
Deferred Compensation Plan Options
5 7 | CH 10 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
If you participate in the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan and leave your position,
your contributions will stop. However, you can continue to manage your account
or request a distribution. If you are eligible for a payment of unused sick leave
or annual leave, you can contribute this payment to your account. As provided
under the Internal Revenue Code, you cannot contribute cash severance
payments to the 457 Plan. For more information about the plan, see Chapter
3-Saving for Retirement and Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement and Deferred
Compensation Plan Payments.
Severance Benefits
You may be eligible for severance benefits if you are involuntarily separated from
employment. Involuntary separation is a layoff because of a budget reduction,
agency reorganization, workforce downsizing or another cause not related to job
performance or misconduct. If you voluntarily resign from your position, you are
not eligible for severance benefits.
If you are a state employee, you may be eligible for severance benefits under the
Workforce Transition Act (WTA). If you are an employee of a school division
or a political subdivision, you may be eligible for severance benefits under the
Transitional Benefits Program if your employer has elected to offer this program.
Information about both programs is available at www.varetire.org/severance.
Additional information about WTA severance benefits also is available on the
Department of Human Resource Management website at www.dhrm.virginia.gov.
Your employer will notify you if you are involuntarily separated from employment
and coordinate your benefits. For more information, contact your human
resource office.
Special waiver for selected positions. If you hold one of the following positions,
are involuntarily separated from employment for reasons other than cause and
have 20 or more years of creditable service at the time of separation, you may be
eligible to retire with an unreduced benefit as early as age 60:
• Agency head appointed by the Governor or a state board, commission
or council
5 8 | W W W.VARE TIRE.ORG • 1- 8 8 8 -VARE TIR (1- 8 8 8 - 827-3847) PL A N 2
• School superintendent
• County, city or town manager or attorney
• Constitutional officer (if your position is abolished)
Your employer must certify your eligibility on the Certification of Exception
from General Early Retirement Provisions (VRS-8), which is available at
www.varetire.org. If you return to covered employment, you will be subject to
the normal provisions for unreduced and reduced retirement under your plan,
unless you are in a position that qualifies for this special waiver.
11
Getting Ready to Retire
Retirement Readiness Resources • Applying for Retirement •
Deferring Retirement • Retirement Readiness Checklist
Retirement Readiness Resources
Member Education
Whether you just started work or are ready to retire, you can take advantage of
free educational opportunities to learn more about everything from your benefits
and money matters to how to apply for retirement. You can select from a variety
of educational mediums according to what’s most convenient for you. These
include live presentations, seminars, webinars, e-courses and regional meetings.
Visit www.varetire.org for more information. Courses include:
• Retirement planning sessions geared to new and current members,
members within five or more years of retirement and those ready to retire
• “Money Matters for Virginians” financial education courses
How to Register
Go to www.varetire.org and
select the Members homepage,
then Education & Counseling.
For the deferred compensation
plan meetings, select your plan
under the Defined Contribution
Plans tab.
• Courses on topics such as purchase of prior service and retirement
payout options
Meet with a counselor at the VRS Retirement Counseling Center at 1111 East
Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Sessions are offered on a first-come firstserved basis between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Limited
scheduled appointments are available. Go to www.varetire.org for directions to the
center and the parking deck; the first hour of parking is free.
Deferred Compensation Plan Regional Education Meetings
If your employer participates in the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan, be sure to sign
up for the deferred compensation plan meetings. The meetings are held at sites
around the state and cover topics such as long-term planning for your financial
future, managing your plan and distribution strategies.
Learn more about everything
from banking and home finance
to investment basics. Visit
www.varetire.org for more
information.
5 9 | CH 11 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Need Individual Counseling?
How much would your estimated VRS benefit be based on different payout options? What
would your retirement income look like if you included other income sources? How would that
compare to your expenses? The following online tools allow you to estimate benefit scenarios
and finances upon retirement and develop a retirement income plan that will help meet your
needs and those of your family:
• Use the Benefit Estimator to create estimates of your VRS retirement benefit based on
different benefit payout options or retirement dates.
• Use the Retirement Planner to estimate your income and expenses upon retirement:
oo
Include your estimated unreduced retirement benefit or an estimate you create in
the Benefit Estimator. You also can enter a different retirement date.
oo
Include estimated income from a spouse, part-time job, Social Security if you are eligible
on the date you use for your plan, or other sources of retirement income.
oo
The Getting Ready to Retire
Build in retirement expenses, including income taxes and health insurance. You can use
the assumptions in the planner or enter your own figures.
Guide provides instructions to
• If you participate in the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan, include an estimated annuity from your
assist you with the application
plan. Also, check your savings progress; you may be eligible for catch-up contributions. For
process. The guide is available
more information, see Chapter 3-Saving for Retirement. If you have another supplemental
at www.varetire.org. Forms
savings account, you can include this income in your plan.
are available on the website.
Retirement forms are fillable.
Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Transportation, D. Allen Covey photographer.
Use myVRS to Prepare for Retirement
To register or log into your secure online account, select myVRS from www.varetire.org.
Select the form, complete it
online and then print and sign it
before submitting.
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Applying for Retirement
Retirement Date and Monthly Benefit Payments
Retirement is effective on the first of the month. Your monthly benefit will begin
following a bona fide break in service of at least one full calendar month from
your retirement date over a period you normally would work.
To begin receiving your benefit payments in a timely manner, submit your
application and all required documents to your employer at least 60 days, but
not more than four months (120 days), before you want to retire. Example: If you
wish to retire on July 1, submit your application by May 1. You will receive your
first benefit payment on August 1 for the month of July.
Forms and Documents
Forms are available at www.varetire.org. Read the directions on all forms carefully
and provide all signatures and required documents. An incomplete or incorrect
application will delay the processing of your retirement. If you need assistance
applying for retirement, your human resource office, a family member or an
individual authorized to act on your behalf, such as an agent named under
a power of attorney or a legal guardian, may be able to assist you. For more
information, call VRS at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847).
Your application must include:
• Application for Service Retirement (VRS-5). Include acceptable evidence
of your date of birth, such as a legible copy of your birth certificate. If you
are married or separated, have your spouse complete the spouse certification
section. Your spouse must sign on or after the date you sign the application.
• Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2) to ensure your beneficiary designation
is up to date. If you elect the Survivor Option, you must submit a VRS-2 to
designate a beneficiary for life insurance benefits; you may name your survivor
or another individual as your beneficiary.
• Request for Income Tax Withholding (VRS-15)
Employer Certification
Submit your completed
application and all required
documents to your human
resource office. Your employer
will review your application,
complete the employer
certification section and
submit your application to VRS.
If you apply for retirement
after 12 months from leaving
employment or if you are retiring
after being on long-term
disability through the Virginia
Sickness and Disability Program
(VSDP), submit your application
to VRS.
• Authorization for Direct Deposit of Monthly Benefit (VRS-57)
for Retirees, Survivors and LTD Participants (T-20879). You must submit this
form with your application or within 31 days of your retirement date, whether
you are electing or waiving coverage. The form is available at www.varetire.org.
Note that if you defer retirement, you will not be eligible to enroll in the
program; if you waive coverage, you will not be able to enroll at a later date.
For more information, visit the Department of Human Resource Management
website at www.dhrm.virginia.gov. See also Chapter 13-Insurance in Retirement.
• If you are an employee of a school division or a political subdivision, contact
your human resource office about retiree health insurance your employer may
offer. Some employers have arranged with VRS to deduct the premiums from
the monthly benefit payment.
Other forms and documents you may need:
• If you are electing the Survivor Option, acceptable legible evidence of your
survivor’s date of birth
• If you are electing the Advance Pension Option, a Social Security benefit
estimate. The estimate must be less than 12 months old, assume you will have
no future earnings after leaving your position and be based on your Social
Security earnings record. For detailed instructions, go to www.varetire.org/apo.
Retirement Certificate
Once your application has been
processed, you will receive
a retirement certificate and
the Retiree Handbook. The
retirement certificate outlines
your benefit payment and other
information about your retiree
benefits. Keep your certificate
and handbook for future
reference.
6 1 | CH 11 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
• If you are a state employee, State Health Benefits Program Enrollment Form
• Request for Health Insurance Credit (VRS-45) if you are eligible for the credit
and VRS will not be deducting retiree health insurance premiums from your
monthly benefit payment. If VRS will be deducting premiums, you do not
need to submit this form; VRS will apply the credit automatically to your
benefit payment. For more information about the program, see Chapter 13Insurance in Retirement.
• Authorization of Coverage Retention for the Long Term Care Plan (VSDP
or VLDP) (VRS-170) and Protection Against Unintentional Lapse of Long
Term Care (VSDP or VLDP) (VRS-171) if you participate in VSDP and wish
to continue your long-term care coverage into retirement. You will pay the
premiums. For more information about the program, see Chapter 8-LongTerm Care Programs.
Deferring Retirement
If you leave covered employment and are eligible for retirement, you can defer
receiving your retirement benefit until a later date. Submit a Name and Address
Declaration for Deferred Members (VRS-3A) before you leave your position.
If you are covered under the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, some basic
benefits will continue after you leave your position, provided you do not take a
refund of your member contributions and interest. For more information, see
Chapter 13-Insurance in Retirement.
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When you apply for retirement, your benefit will be calculated based on your
creditable service and average final compensation at the time you left your
position. Submit the VRS-5 and other required forms and documents to
VRS within 60 days, but not more than four months (120 days), before your
retirement date.
Mandatory Retirement Distribution
If you defer retirement and do not apply for retirement by April 1 following the calendar year
in which you turn age 70½, VRS will pay you a retirement benefit (Basic Benefit option), as
required by law. VRS is not required to pay benefits retroactively; if your address changes,
notify VRS as soon as possible by submitting a Name and Address Declaration for Deferred
Members (VRS-3A).
If you are not vested, you will receive a refund of your member contribution account balance,
excluding any member contributions made by your employer to your account after July 1, 2010,
and the interest on these contributions.
Retirement Readiness Checklist
Purchase Prior Service
Before You Retire
D U R I N G YO U R C A R EER
If you have eligible prior service
❏ Create a myVRSand
member
online account through the VRS website at www.varetire.org. Use the myVRS Retirement
want this creditable
Planner to see ifservice
you areapplied
on track
for saving for retirement.
to your
❏ Review your annual
Member
Benefit
Profile
benefit
calculation,
submit
an (MBP) through myVRS.
for Purchase
of to learn more about your benefits and resources.
❏ Sign up for free Application
member education
courses
Prior Service Credit (VRS-26)
P R E PA R I N G F O R at
R Eleast
T I R EM
EN T before your
60 days
date. If you
have different retirement benefit estimates and the myVRS Retirement Planner
❏ Use the myVRS retirement
Benefit Estimator
to create
at retirement
to estimate yourunused
incomesick
andleave
expenses
in retirement.
and are not covered under the
❏ Sign up for member education courses and, if applicable, the Deferred Compensation Plan Regional
Virginia Sickness and Disability
Education Meetings.
Program (VSDP), you may be
❏ Let your human resource office know your retirement plans at least six months before the date you wish to retire.
eligible to convert this leave
to creditable service. For more
6 0 -12 0 DAYS B EF O R E YO U R R E T I R EM EN T DAT E
information about purchasing
❏ Apply for retirement.
prior service, see Chapter
❏ If you have eligible
prior service
want this service applied to your
4-Enhancing
Yourand
Benefit.
benefit calculation, see Chapter 4-Enhancing Your Benefit.
❏ If you are covered under the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
(VSDP), decide whether you want to continue your VSDP long-term care
coverage into retirement.
❏ If you participate in the Optional Group Life Insurance Program, decide
whether you want to continue or convert your coverage upon retirement.
❏ If you are a state employee, submit the State Health Benefits Program Enrollment Form for Retirees, Survivors and
LTD Participants (T-20879) with your retirement application, whether you are electing or waiving coverage.
R I G H T A F T ER YO U R E T I R E
retire, which you will use to set up your secure online account.
❏ If you are a state employee and wish to enroll in the State Retiree Health Benefits Program, you must apply within 31 days
of your retirement date.
❏ If you participate in VSDP and wish to continue your VSDP long-term care coverage into retirement, you must apply
within 60 days of your retirement date.
6 3 | CH 11 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
❏ Create a myVRS retiree online account. VRS will send you a one-time authentication code in the mail shortly after you
12
Receiving Retirement and Deferred
Compensation Plan Payments
Direct Deposit • Taxes • Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) •
Social Security • If You Divorce • Deferred Compensation
Plan Options
Direct Deposit
If Your Account
Information Changes
If you change your financial
institution, submit a VRS57 with the new account
After you retire, your monthly benefit will be deposited to the financial
institution account you designate on the Authorization for Direct Deposit of
Monthly Benefit (VRS-57), available at www.varetire.org. Benefit payments are
deposited on the first of the month for the preceding month’s benefit. If the first
falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment will be deposited on the last business
day of the preceding month. If the net amount of your benefit changes, you will
receive an earnings statement from VRS reflecting the new amount.
information. Do not close
your old account until your
direct deposit begins in your
new account. You can verify
your new deposit information
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through myVRS.
Taxes
Your retirement benefit will be subject to federal income taxes and, if you live in
Virginia, state income taxes. Any after-tax member contributions in your benefit
payment will not be taxed again.
If you do not file a Request for Income Tax Withholding (VRS-15) (available at
www.varetire.org) when you retire, VRS will withhold federal taxes as if you were
married with three allowances and state taxes, if applicable, as if you had zero
allowances. If you do not want VRS to withhold taxes from your benefit, notify
VRS using the VRS-15. Note that you may be responsible for paying estimated
taxes or face tax penalties if your estimated tax payments are insufficient. For more
information, contact a tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) toll-free at
1-800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov.
VRS does not deduct income taxes for other states. If you retire in Virginia and
then move out of state, you can update your tax withholding through myVRS or
by submitting a new VRS-15.
1099-R Form
After you retire, you will receive a 1099-R form from VRS each January for the
previous calendar year’s benefit payments and tax withholdings. You will file this
form with your federal and state income tax returns. The 1099-R shows:
• Total amount of your benefit for the previous year
• Taxable amount of your benefit
• Total amount of federal income taxes and, if applicable, state income taxes
withheld from your benefit during the previous year
• Amount of your benefit that is not taxed, if any, as determined by the IRS
• Whether your benefit is a retirement benefit, disability benefit or
survivor benefit
• Total health insurance premiums for the previous year, less any health insurance
credit reimbursements you receive. The health insurance credit is a non-taxable
benefit and will not be included in your 1099-R. For more information about
the health insurance credit, see Chapter 13-Insurance in Retirement.
Update Your Tax
Withholdings Online
After you retire, you can set
up a myVRS retiree account,
providing secure access to
your retirement information.
Imputed income. The cost of VRS group life insurance over $50,000 on the premiums
Through myVRS, you can
paid by VRS is called imputed income. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers
this amount as income to you and subject to income taxes and FICA (Social Security
and Medicare) taxes. If you are covered under the program when you retire and your
coverage exceeds $50,000, VRS will automatically withhold FICA taxes and send you
a W-2 form each year showing the amount of FICA taxes withheld and the additional
taxable income. As your life insurance coverage reduces, the amount of imputed
income also will reduce. If your coverage reduces to less than $50,000, these taxes
will no longer be withheld. For more information about the life insurance coverage
reduction, see Chapter 13-Insurance in Retirement.
submit changes to your tax
withholdings online.
Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) allow your retirement benefit to keep pace
with inflation. The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban
Consumers (CPI-U), published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and updated
each July 1. The COLA is calculated using the first 2 percent increase in the CPI-U
and half of any additional increase (up to 2 percent), for a maximum COLA of
3 percent. During years of no inflation or deflation, the COLA is 0 percent.
6 5 | CH 12 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs)
COLA Effective Dates for Service Retirement
What Is the Consumer
Price Index for All Urban
Consumers (CPI-U)?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics defines the CPI-U
as a measure of the average
change over time in the prices
paid by urban consumers for
goods and services, such
as food, housing, apparel,
transportation, medical
care, recreation, education,
communication and other
goods and services.
If you retire with an unreduced benefit or with a reduced benefit with at least 20 years of
creditable service, the COLA will go into effect on July 1 after one full calendar
year (January 1 to December 31) from your retirement date. Example: If you
retire on November 1, 2017, your first COLA will be effective July 1, 2019, and
appear in your August 1, 2019, benefit payment.
If you retire with a reduced benefit with fewer than 20 years of creditable service, the
COLA will go into effect on July 1 after one full calendar year (January 1 to
December 31) from the date you would have become eligible for an unreduced
benefit. Example: If your unreduced retirement eligibility date is October 1, 2020,
but you retire on November 1, 2017, and have fewer than 20 years of creditable
service when you retire, your first COLA will be effective July 1, 2022, and
appear in your August 1, 2022, benefit payment.
For the current COLA, visit www.varetire.org (select the Retirees homepage).
Exceptions to COLA Effective Dates
If you are eligible for a COLA under any of the following circumstances, your
COLA will go into effect on July 1 following one full calendar year (January 1 to
December 31) from the effective date of your separation from covered employment:
• You were within five years of qualifying for an unreduced retirement benefit as
of January 1, 2013.
• You retire on disability.
• You retire directly from short-term or long-term disability under the Virginia
Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP).
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• You are involuntarily separated from employment for causes other than job
performance or misconduct and are eligible to retire under the Workforce
Transition Act or the Transitional Benefits Program.
• You die in service and your survivor or beneficiary is eligible for a monthly
death-in-service benefit. The COLA will go into effect on July 1 following
one full calendar year (January 1 to December 31) from the date the monthly
benefit begins.
If you retire under the Basic Benefit or Advance Pension Option, the COLA
calculation will be based on your Basic Benefit amount. If you retire under the
Basic Benefit with the Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP), Survivor
Option or Survivor Option with the PLOP, the COLA calculation will be based
on your reduced benefit amount. For more information about benefit payout
options, see Chapter 2-Your Retirement Plan.
Social Security
You will be eligible for a full Social Security retirement benefit when you reach
your normal Social Security retirement age (for an age chart, see Chapter 2-Your
Retirement Plan). You may qualify for a reduced benefit as early as age 62. For more
information, call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov or contact your local Social Security Administration office.
If You Divorce
Approved Domestic Relations Order (ADRO)
In the event of a divorce, your retirement benefit may be regarded as marital property
in a property settlement. The Code of Virginia authorizes VRS to make a direct
payment to a former spouse if he or she is awarded part of your benefit by the court.
VRS implements the court decision when it receives a certified copy of an Approved
Domestic Relations Order (ADRO). The court, not VRS, decides whether to
divide your retirement benefit and how it is to be divided, provided the order is in
compliance with the provisions of the Code of Virginia. Your attorney should provide
VRS a draft ADRO before filing it with the court to ensure the language conforms to
VRS’ requirements. ADRO guidelines are available at www.varetire.org/adro.
Other attachments. The Code of Virginia allows other attachments to your VRS
benefit. Examples include IRS tax levies, debt to an employer, child support or
other marital rights as stated in an ADRO or divorce decree.
Release of information. VRS will not release information about your benefit to
If You Request a
Distribution From Your Plan
Distributions are effective
following a bona fide break
in service of at least one full
calendar month from your
last day of employment.
This break must occur over
a period you normally would
work. Periods of leave with or
without pay, summer breaks
and intersession periods do not
count toward satisfying this
break in service.
anyone other than yourself without your written authorization, unless your
information is subpoenaed.
More Information
Call toll-free 1-VRS-DC-PLAN1
(1-877-327-5261) or visit
If you participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation
Plan, you have the following options when you retire or leave employment:
www.varetire.org (select the
Keep your money in your plan. Your pre-tax account continues to be tax-deferred.
about enrolling in the plan,
Your Roth after-tax account can also remain in the plan. You continue to manage
your investments. You cannot contribute to the Commonwealth’s 457 Plan
unless you return to salaried or wage employment with an employer that offers
the plan. You are required to take your first minimum distributions by April 1 of
the calendar year following the later of: 1) the calendar year in which you reach
age 70½, or 2) the calendar year in which you terminate employment from the
employer sponsoring your plan.
contributions and plan
Defined Contribution Plans
tab). For more information
resources, see also Chapter
3-Saving for Retirement.
6 7 | CH 12 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Deferred Compensation Plan Options
Request a distribution (payment) from your plan. You may request a distribution in a
lump sum, as a periodic payment or as a combination of these methods. You will
be required to pay federal and state income taxes on distributions from your pretax account from the Commonwealth’s 457 and Cash Match Plans. The IRS also
may impose an additional 10 percent tax penalty on Cash Match Plan distributions
received before age 59½; there are exceptions to this rule. There is no penalty for
early withdrawals from the 457 Plan.
Distributions that you receive from your Roth contributions and any earnings on
those may be withdrawn tax free if you meet the following requirements:
• Separated from covered employment with a bona fide break in service.
Creating Your myVRS Retiree
Online Account Is Easy
When you retire, you
will receive a one-time
authentication code from VRS
in the mail. You will use this
code to create your online
• At least five years have passed since January 1 of the year you made your first
Roth contribution.
• At least age 59½, permanently disabled or the assets are being paid to your
beneficiaries following your death.
Note: You can request separate distributions from your pre-tax account
and your Roth after-tax account. For additional distribution information,
visit www.varetire.org/457.
account. Select myVRS from
www.varetire.org and then
Roll over money from your 457 Plan or cash match account. You may roll over some or all of
Retirees-Register. Any time
the balance in your 457 or Cash Match Plan to an Individual Retirement Account
(IRA) or another qualified plan that accepts rollovers. Check with the plan sponsor to
determine if the plan accepts rollovers and whether any fees or penalties apply.
you want to log in, you will
enter the username and
password you set up to create
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your account.
Contribute sick leave, annual leave or other payments to your 457 Plan. If you are eligible
to be paid for unused sick leave or annual leave or to receive other compensation
when you leave your position, you can defer taxes on this payment by contributing
it to the 457 Plan. To elect this option, submit the 457 One-Time Deferral Form
to your employer while you are still employed or no later than the month before
you would otherwise receive the payment. The form is available at www.varetire.org
(select the Defined Contribution Plans tab). As provided under the Internal
Revenue Code, you cannot contribute cash severance payments to the 457 Plan.
Use your cash match plan to consolidate your retirement funds. You may roll over money
from an IRA or another qualified plan to your cash match account. If you return
to covered employment, you may still take distributions from the rollover account
in your 457 Plan. If you elect the Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP)
at retirement, you can contribute some or all of your PLOP to your cash match
account. For more information about benefit payout options, see Chapter 2-Your
Retirement Plan.
13
Insurance in Retirement
Group Life Insurance • Retiree Health Insurance
(State Employees) • Health Insurance Credit •
Long-Term Care Coverage
Group Life Insurance
Basic Group Life Insurance Coverage
Benefits include:
• Death benefit equal to your creditable compensation at retirement, rounded
to the next highest thousand and then doubled. If you retire with 20 or more
years of creditable service, the death benefit will be based on your highest
creditable compensation as a covered employee, even if your salary at retirement
is lower. This benefit is payable if you die of natural or accidental causes.
• Accelerated death benefit option. If you are diagnosed with a terminal
condition and have fewer than 12 months to live, you can withdraw some or
all of your life insurance proceeds to use for any purpose. Your beneficiary
or survivor will receive any remaining amount upon your death.
The provisions that allow for double the natural death benefit for accidental death
and dismemberment end upon retirement.
Life Insurance Coverage in Retirement. Your coverage begins to reduce on January 1
following one calendar year of retirement. The reduction rate is 25 percent each
January 1 until it reaches 25 percent of the total life insurance benefit value
at retirement. If you have at least 30 years of creditable service, your coverage
cannot reduce below $8,000. This minimum will be increased annually based on
the VRS Plan 2 cost-of-living adjustment calculation.
More Information
VRS has contracted with
Minnesota Life as the insurer
for the Group Life Insurance
Program. For more information,
call toll-free 1-800-441-2258.
What Is Creditable
Compensation?
Creditable compensation is
your annual salary, not including
overtime pay, payment of a
temporary nature or payments
for extra duties, such as pay for
teachers who provide coaching
or act as an advisor for special
activities.
6 9 | CH 13 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
If you are covered under the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, some basic
group life insurance benefits will continue into retirement or if you are eligible
to retire but defer retirement. Your coverage will end if you have not met the age
and service requirements for retirement or you take a refund of your member
contributions and interest.
When Your Life Insurance Benefit
You retire
Your life insurance benefit
is equal to your creditable
compensation at retirement, rounded to the next highest
thousand and then doubled
In the Event of Your
Death After You Retire
Your beneficiary or survivor
should call Minnesota Life
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toll-free at 1-800-441-2258.
Minnesota Life can initiate
all benefit claims and will
provide information to VRS for
processing any benefits due.
For more information,
see Losing a Loved One: Guide
EXAMPLE
You retire on March 1, 2018.
Your creditable compensation
at retirement is $49,780;
for your life insurance
coverage, that amount is
rounded to $50,000 then
doubled to equal $100,000
at retirement
On January 1 after you
Your life insurance complete one calendar
coverage reduces year of retirement 25 percent
(January through December) Your first 25 percent
reduction will be on
January 1, 2020, with remaining
coverage of $75,000
On January 1 after you
Your life insurance coverage complete two calendar reduces another
years (January through
25 percent
December) of retirement
Your next 25 percent reduction
will be on January 1, 2021,
with remaining coverage of
$50,000
On January 1 after you
Your life insurance coverage
complete three calendar
reduces a final 25 percent and
years (January through
remains at that value for the
December) of retirement
rest of your retirement
Your final reduction will be
on January 1, 2022, and
your coverage will remain at
$25,000 for the rest of your
retirement
Optional Group Life Insurance Coverage
If you are enrolled in the Optional Group Life Insurance Program, you may continue
a portion of your coverage into retirement. You as well as your spouse and dependent
children, if enrolled, must have been continuously covered during the 60 months
preceding your retirement date. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage ends
upon retirement. Optional life insurance amounts will reduce by 25 percent based
on your age, beginning with your normal retirement age under your plan; coverage
ends at age 80. The maximum amount of optional group life insurance coverage in
retirement is $275,000. You must elect to continue your coverage within 31 days of
your retirement date. This option is not available after 31 days.
for Families available at
www.varetire.org.
You as well as your spouse and dependent children, if enrolled, can convert your
coverage to an individual policy. You will be billed for the premiums. Submit a
Conversion of Group Life Insurance Enrollment (VRS-35E) to Minnesota Life
within 31 days of the last day of the month in which you leave your position. The
form is available at www.varetire.org. This option is not available after 31 days.
Retiree Health Insurance (State Employees)
If you retire as a state employee, you are eligible to enroll in the State Retiree
Health Benefits Program upon retirement. You can elect coverage when you apply
for retirement or within 31 days of your last day of employment by submitting
the State Health Benefits Program Enrollment Form for Retirees, Survivors and
LTD Participants (T-20879). The form is available at www.varetire.org. Note that
if you defer retirement, you will not be eligible to enroll in the program; if you
waive coverage, you will not be able to enroll at a later date.
Additional Information
About Your Life Insurance
For information about
irrevocable assignment,
imputed income taxes and
child support liens, see
Chapter 5-Group Life Insurance
Program.
If you elect this coverage, VRS will deduct the health insurance premiums
from your monthly benefit payment. If your benefit is not sufficient to cover the
deduction, the health insurance carrier will bill you directly for the premiums.
For more information about the program, visit the Department of Human
Resource Management website at www.dhrm.virginia.gov.
Enrollment options for your survivors. If you enroll in the State Retiree Health Benefits
Program, you also can enroll your survivors (a spouse or dependent children). If
you elect the Survivor Option at retirement and your survivors are not enrolled,
they may enroll upon your death. If you elect another benefit payout option and
your survivors are enrolled at the time of your death, they may elect to continue
their coverage. Your survivors must submit a State Health Benefits Program
Enrollment Form for Retirees, Survivors and LTD Participants (T-20879) within
60 days of your death. This option is not available after 60 days.
Cancelling coverage. You can cancel your coverage at any time after you retire by
Retiring From a School
Division or a Political
Subdivision?
If you are an employee of a
school division or a political
subdivision, your employer may
offer retiree health insurance
coverage. Contact your human
resource office for more
information. Some employers
have arranged with VRS to
deduct the premiums from the
monthly retirement benefit.
7 1 | CH 13 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
submitting the State Health Benefits Program Enrollment Form for Retirees,
Survivors and LTD Participants (T-20879) or by sending a written request
to VRS. Cancelling your coverage also cancels coverage for your spouse and
dependent children, if enrolled. Once you cancel coverage, you are not eligible
to re-enroll in the program. However, you can be covered as a dependent of an
active state employee or a state retiree who enrolls you in the program, or if you
return to work and retire again as a state employee. In the latter case, you will
have 31 days from your subsequent retirement date to elect coverage.
Medicare Benefits
Medicare is a federal government-sponsored health insurance program. You become eligible
for Medicare when you reach age 65. Medicare includes coverage for hospital care (Part A) at
no cost to you and medical care (Part B), for which you pay a monthly premium. You also may
elect coverage under the prescription drug plan (Part D). You should apply for Medicare at
least three months before your 65th birthday.
Estimate Your Health
If you retire as a state employee and elect the State Retiree Health Benefits Program, you
Insurance Expenses in
will be eligible for Advantage 65, the state’s Medicare supplement plan, when you qualify for
Medicare. The Advantage 65 plan includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage; there
also is a Medical Only plan that excludes prescription drug coverage.
Retirement
Before you retire, you can
estimate your health insurance
and other expenses in
retirement through the myVRS
Health Insurance Credit
Retirement Planner. Depending
on the retirement date you
use for your plan, you also can
include a Medicare premium
estimate. To create a secure
online account, select myVRS
from www.varetire.org.
If you retire with at least 15 years of creditable service, you may be eligible for the
health insurance credit. This is a tax-free benefit that assists with health insurance
premiums you pay for single coverage, excluding any portion of the premiums
covering a spouse or dependents. Eligible employees include:
• State employees
• Teachers and school administrators
• General registrars and their employees, constitutional officers and their
employees and local social service employees
• Employees of political subdivisions that have elected to offer the health
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insurance credit
The health insurance credit is a dollar amount set by the General Assembly for
each year of creditable service, as shown below, not to exceed the individual
premium amount. The health insurance credit is applied to your retirement
benefit payment. If you do not receive a monthly benefit, VRS will reimburse you
for the amount. The credit ends upon your death.
Health Insurance Credit Dollar Amounts
Amount per Maximum
Year of Credit per
Service Month
State employees
$ 4.00No Cap
Teachers and school administrators
$ 4.00No Cap
General registrars and their employees, constitutional officers and
their employees and local social service employees
Disability and the
Health Insurance Credit
$ 1.50
$45.00
If you retire on disability as
a school division employee,
General registrars and their employees, constitutional officers and
their employees and local social service employees, if the political
subdivision has elected the $1.00 enhancement
$ 2.50
$75.00
health insurance credit. If
Other political subdivision employees if elected by the employer
$ 1.50
$45.00
you retire on disability as a
you will be eligible for a
political subdivision employee,
Qualifying Health Plans
you will be eligible for a
• Individual health plans
your employer participates
• Coverage as a dependent on a spouse’s plan
in the program. If you are a
• Employer-sponsored health plans, including the State Retiree Health
Benefits Program
health insurance credit if
state employee on long-term
disability through the Virginia
Sickness and Disability
• Medicare Part B
Program (VSDP), you will be
• Dental and vision plans
eligible for a health insurance
• Prescription drug plans, including Medicare Part D
The following are examples of plans not eligible for the health insurance credit:
• Coverage for specific diseases or procedures to treat a specific illness, such as
cancer insurance
• Hospital or other indemnity policies
• Limited benefit plans, which offer coverage for only particular health care
conditions or diseases, and do not replace traditional health insurance
• Plans covering home health care
• Long-term care insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Network discount programs or policies, such as pharmacy discount programs
• Policies that include non-healthcare coverage, such as an auto club
membership that includes a prescription discount program
credit. If you retire after being
on long-term disability, you
must have at least 15 years of
creditable service to qualify for
the health insurance credit as
a retiree.
For more information about
disability coverage, see
Chapter 6-Virginia Sickness
and Disability Program
(State Employees) or Chapter
7-Retiring on Disability.
7 3 | CH 13 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
EL I G I B L E EM P LOY EES Applying for the Health Insurance Credit
If you are eligible for the health insurance credit upon retirement and VRS will
be deducting your health insurance premiums, you do not need to apply for
it; VRS will apply the credit automatically to your benefit payment. For any
premiums VRS will not be deducting, submit a Request for Health Insurance
Credit (VRS-45) to VRS. The form is available at www.varetire.org.
Annual Health Insurance Credit Notice
If you are eligible for the health insurance credit, you will receive an annual
Health Insurance Credit Notice from VRS reminding you to verify and update
your health insurance information, if necessary. This will ensure you are
receiving the proper credit amount in a timely manner and are not at risk for
overpayments. For any premiums VRS will not be deducting, you will report a
change or cancellation by submitting a Request for Health Insurance
Credit (VRS-45) to VRS. If you are on long-term disability through the Virginia
Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP), you will submit the form to Reed
Group, the VSDP third-party administrator, at P.O. Box 6248, Broomfield,
CO 80021.
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Long-Term Care Coverage
If you are a state employee, your coverage under the Virginia Sickness and
Disability Program (VSDP) Long-Term Care Plan will end when you retire. You
can elect to continue your coverage, which will be retroactive to your last day
of employment; you will pay the premiums. To continue your coverage, submit
the Authorization of Coverage Retention for the Long Term Care Plan (VSDP
or VLDP) (VRS-170) and the Protection Against Unintentional Lapse of Long
Term Care (VSDP or VLDP) (VRS-171) within 60 days of your last day of
employment to the Long Term Care Group, Inc. The forms are available at
www.varetire.org. This option is not available after 60 days.
See Chapter 8-Long-Term Care Programs for an overview.
14
Working After Retirement
Non-Covered Employment • K-12 Critical Shortage Positions •
Returning to Covered Employment • Retiring Again
After you retire, you can work for any employer that does not participate in
the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and continue to receive your retirement
benefits. If you return to covered employment with a VRS-participating employer,
you will become an active member and your retirement benefits will stop.
Non-Covered Employment
What Is Covered and
Non-Covered Employment?
Covered employment is a
full-time permanent, salaried
position with an employer that
The Commonwealth of Virginia, including all state agencies and public colleges
and universities, is considered one employer. Public school divisions and political
subdivisions are considered separate employers. Your employer can make no
verbal or written offer of reemployment before you retire. You and your employer
must certify that no such pre-arrangement has been made on the Application for
Service Retirement (VRS-5).
Interim Appointments
In some cases, retirees can work in an interim position for up to six months
without interruption in retirement benefits. Examples include working in a
vacant position while the employer recruits for a full-time permanent employee or
while the incumbent is on leave. If you are considering an interim appointment,
your employer must discuss the appointment with VRS before hiring you in the
position. If you return to the employer from which you retired, you also must
have a bona fide break in service as described above.
participates in VRS. Some parttime permanent, salaried state
positions also are covered
under VRS.
Non-covered employment
is a part-time position with a
VRS-participating employer.
Non-covered positions do not
provide eligibility for benefits.
Part-time positions typically
require 80 percent or less
of the hours of comparable
full-time permanent positions.
Some full-time positions may
be considered non-covered
if they are temporary and
require 80 percent or less of
the hours per year that would
be considered full-time and
permanent for that position.
7 5 | CH 14 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
In some cases, you can work in a non-covered position with a VRS-participating
employer and continue to receive your retirement benefits. If you return to noncovered employment with the employer from which you retired, you must have
a bona fide break in service of at least one full calendar month from your
retirement date over a period you normally would work. This break must occur
over a period you normally would work. Periods of leave with or without pay,
summer breaks or intersession periods do not count toward satisfying this break
in service. This requirement includes teachers who retire under an early retirement
incentive program.
K-12 Critical Shortage Positions
You may be eligible to teach or serve as a principal or assistant principal in a
critical shortage position in a Virginia public school. You do not have to retire as
a teacher or school administrator as long as you become licensed by the Virginia
Board of Education for the position you will hold. Positions are full time and
temporary (non-covered) for the current school year; if you qualify, you will
continue to receive your retirement benefits.
To be considered for a K-12 critical shortage position, you must:
• Work in a designated critical shortage position;
• Hold a Virginia Board of Education license for the position;
• Have a break in service of at least 12 consecutive months between your
retirement date and the date you wish to work in a critical shortage position.
This break in service means not working in any full-time, part-time or
temporary position with any VRS-participating employer;
• Not have retired with a reduced VRS benefit under an early retirement
incentive program (ERIP); and
• Not take a refund of your member contributions and interest or defer
retirement.
For more information on critical shortage designations and how to apply, visit the
Department of Education website at www.doe.virginia.gov or contact the school
system where you would like to work.
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Returning to Covered Employment
If you return to covered employment, your retirement benefits will stop and you
will become an active member.
Group Life Insurance Coverage
If you return to an employer that participates in the VRS Group Life Insurance
Program and you had this coverage as a retiree, you will resume your active
member coverage. Your coverage will be based on the compensation you earn upon
reemployment or your highest career compensation as a VRS-covered employee
if you have 20 or more years of creditable service. If you were not covered under the
program as a retiree, you will be enrolled automatically upon reemployment.
If you return to an employer that does not participate in the VRS Group Life
Insurance Program and you had retiree coverage, your coverage will continue
at the level to which it had reduced before reemployment. For more information,
see Chapter 5-Group Life Insurance Program and Chapter 13-Insurance
in Retirement.
Disability Coverage
If you return to covered employment with the Commonwealth of Virginia, you
will be enrolled automatically in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
(VSDP). You will be required to fulfill eligibility periods for non-work-related
disability and certain income replacement levels. If you return to a faculty
position and elect the VRS defined benefit plan, you will have the option to
enroll in VSDP or the institution’s disability program, if offered; if you do not
wish to participate in VSDP, you must submit the College and University OptOut Form (VSDP-2) (available at www.varetire.org) to your human resource
office. For more information, refer to the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
Handbook for State Employees available at www.varetire.org. See also Chapter
6-Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (State Employees).
If you return to covered employment with a school division or a political
subdivision, you will be eligible to be considered for VRS disability retirement
if you have a medical condition that prevents you from performing your job
and is likely to be permanent. For more information, refer to the VRS Disability
Retirement Handbook for Members available at www.varetire.org. See also Chapter
7-Retiring on Disability.
If you return to employment with an employer that offers the Commonwealth’s
457 Plan, you will be able to resume your contributions or enroll in the plan and
may be eligible for an employer cash match through the Virginia Cash Match
Plan. If you return to salaried state employment and are not participating in
the plan, you will be enrolled automatically and will receive the employer cash
match. If you return to employment and are receiving plan distributions, you
can continue or suspend your distributions; you cannot start distributions unless
you are age 70½ or older and eligible for an in-service distribution. For more
information about the plan, see Chapter 3-Saving for Retirement and Chapter
12-Receiving Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan Payments.
7 7 | CH 14 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Before You Accept Employment
If You Retire on Disability
If you accept a position with
any employer, including a VRS-
If you want to work after you retire, call VRS toll-free at 1-888-VARETIR
(1-888-827-3847) to determine the impact on your retirement benefits. Also
contact the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or visit
www.socialsecurity.gov for information on the effect of earnings during retirement
on your eligibility for Social Security benefits.
participating employer, that
requires the same or similar
duties as those you performed
before you retired on disability,
your disability retirement
benefits will end. If you are
considering employment after
you retire on disability, contact
VRS to determine whether
the position would disqualify
you from continuing to receive
disability retirement benefits.
Retiring Again
When you retire again, you must submit a new Application for Service
Retirement (VRS-5) and retire under the same benefit payout option you elected
for your previous retirement. Your monthly benefit will be recalculated based
on the additional creditable service you earn and any changes in your average
final compensation. If you retire under the Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment
(PLOP), you will not receive another PLOP; your subsequent benefit also will be
adjusted for the previous PLOP. If you retire under the Advance Pension Option,
your subsequent benefit will be adjusted for the temporary increase in your
previous benefit.
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Any cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) you were receiving during your previous
retirement will not resume when you retire again. The COLA will be calculated as
if you were retiring for the first time. For more information about the COLA, see
Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan Payments.
Plan 2
VRS
15
Frequently Used Terms
Active MemberYou are an active member if you are working in a covered position with an employer that participates in the
Virginia Retirement System (VRS).
Active ServiceActive service is the number of years you work in a covered position. You earn one month of creditable service for
each month you are employed (“in service”).
Actuarial
Actuarial equivalent cost represents the amount of money needed in today’s dollars to pay for the total value of
Equivalent Costthe increase in your future retirement benefit or earlier retirement eligibility date resulting from purchasing prior
service. If you purchase prior service after your two-year approximate normal cost window, your cost will be
based on this rate.
Advance
The Advance Pension Option is one of the benefit payout options available at retirement. This option allows
Pension Option you to temporarily increase your monthly benefit amount until an age you select, between age 62 and your
normal retirement age under Social Security. At that point, your benefit is permanently reduced.
Approved
An Approved Domestic Relations Order (ADRO) is a court order related to marital property rights and other
Domestic
attachments to your benefit, such as child support, at the time of divorce. If you divorce, your VRS benefit may be
Relations
regarded as marital property in a property settlement.
Approximate Approximate normal cost is the average cost of one year of VRS service credit. The cost is based on a percentage
Normal Costof your creditable compensation or average final compensation at the time of purchase, whichever is higher.
Average Final Average final compensation is the average of your 60 consecutive months of highest creditable compensation
Compensation
as a covered employee. It is one of the factors used to calculate your retirement benefit.
Basic BenefitThe Basic Benefit is calculated based on a formula using your average final compensation, a retirement multiplier
and your total creditable service at retirement. You can elect the Basic Benefit or another payout option when you
apply for retirement.
7 9 | CH 15 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
Order (ADRO)
BeneficiaryYour beneficiary is eligible for a payment of any funds remaining in your member contribution account and any
life insurance benefits you may have upon your death. You may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries on the
Designation of Beneficiary (VRS-2).
Benefit Payout When you apply for service retirement, you elect how you want to receive your benefit. You choose from four
Option benefit payout options, depending on your eligibility: Basic Benefit, Survivor Option, Partial Lump-Sum Option
Payment (PLOP) or Advance Pension Option. The option you elect is irrevocable. That means you cannot
change it once you retire, with the exception of the Survivor Option under some conditions.
Bona Fide Break A bona fide break in service is a break of at least one full calendar month from your last day of employment.
in ServiceThis break must occur over a period you normally would work. Periods of leave with or without pay, summer
breaks or intersession periods do not count toward satisfying this break in service.
Child Support The Department of Social Services may file child support liens against proceeds payable under the VRS Group Life
Liens
Insurance Program. VRS is required to pay life insurance proceeds to the Department of Social Services to satisfy
any outstanding child support obligations at your death.
Consumer Price The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
Index for Allpublished by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is defined as a measure of the average change over
Urban Consumers time in the prices paid by urban consumers for goods and services, such as food, housing, apparel, transportation,
medical care, recreation, education, communication and other goods and services.
Cost-of-Living Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) allow your retirement benefit to keep pace with inflation. The COLA is based
Adjustment on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U), published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(COLA) and updated each July 1. During years of no inflation or deflation, the COLA will be 0 percent. For more
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information about the COLA, see Chapter 12-Receiving Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan Payments.
Covered Covered employment is a full-time permanent, salaried position with an employer that participates in VRS.
Employment
Some part-time permanent, salaried state positions also are covered under VRS.
Creditable Creditable compensation is your annual salary, not including overtime pay, payment of a temporary nature or
Compensation
payments for extra duties, such as pay for teachers who provide coaching or act as an advisor for special activities.
Creditable Creditable service includes active service for each month you are working in a covered position as well as credit
Service
for prior service you may purchase or additional service you may be granted. Creditable service counts toward
vesting in the defined benefit and defined contribution components. Creditable service is used to determine your
eligibility for retirement and to calculate your retirement benefit under the defined benefit component. It also
counts toward qualifying for the retiree health insurance credit if offered by your employer.
Death-in-Service If you die while you are an active member ("in service"), your beneficiary may be eligible for a death-in-service
Benefit
benefit in addition to any life insurance benefits you may have.
Deferred MemberYou are considered a deferred member if you have left covered employment but have not withdrawn your member
contributions and interest and have creditable service in VRS or are maintaining an account balance in a Virginia
optional retirement plan.
Defined Benefit
This plan provides a monthly benefit during retirement based on age, total creditable service and average
Plan final compensation.
Defined
The benefit under a defined contribution plan is based on contributions and net investment gains on these
Contribution Plan contributions. The defined contribution plans administered or authorized by VRS include the Commonwealth of
Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation and Cash Match Plans, optional retirement plans for selected employees and
a supplemental plan for certain school employees.
Direct DepositWhen you apply for retirement, you must include the Authorization for Direct Deposit of Monthly Benefit (VRS-57),
to designate the financial institution account where VRS will deposit your monthly retirement benefit payment.
You also will use the VRS-57 to notify VRS if your account changes.
Disability You may be eligible for disability retirement if you have a non-work-related or work-related disability that prevents
Retirementyou from performing your job and is likely to be permanent. If you participate in the Virginia Sickness and
Disability Program (VSDP), you are not eligible to be considered for VRS disability retirement.
Employer Your employer makes a separate contribution to VRS toward funding current and future benefits for all covered
Contribution
employees. Members are not eligible for a refund of the separate employer contribution.
Form 1099-RAfter you retire, you will receive a 1099-R form from VRS each January for the previous year’s benefit payments
and tax withholdings. You will file this form with your income tax returns.
Full-Time Full-time employment is typically 40 hours a week. Thirty-two hours a week is considered the minimum number
Employment
for full-time employment. Employers, not VRS, classify positions as full time or part time and define the hours
applicable to each classification.
Imputed IncomeImputed income is the cost of life insurance in excess of $50,000, as determined by the Internal Revenue Service
retire, VRS will deduct FICA taxes and report taxable or imputed income for as long as your group life insurance
exceeds $50,000.
Irrevocable
Irrevocable assignment means assigning your ownership rights in your life insurance coverage to another person
Assignment or an entity, such as an eligible trust or charity. You cannot change this assignment once it is made.
Mandatory If you defer retirement and do not apply for retirement by April 1 following the calendar year in which you turn
Retirement
age 70½, VRS will pay you a retirement benefit (Basic Benefit option), as required by law. If you are not vested,
Distributionyou will receive a refund of your member contribution account balance, excluding any member contributions
made by your employer to your account after July 1, 2010, and the interest on these contributions.
8 1 | CH 15 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
(IRS). It is subject to FICA and income taxes and reflected in your W-2 you receive from your employer. When you
Member Benefit
The Member Benefit Profile is your annual online benefits statement. It is based on information your employer
Profile (MBP) reports to VRS through June 30 of each year. You can view your MBP through your myVRS member online account.
Member You contribute 5 percent of your compensation each month to your member contribution account on a pre-tax
Contributions
salary reduction basis. If you are an employee of a school division or a political subdivision and were an active
member as of June 30, 2012, your employer may have elected to phase in your 5 percent member contribution
payment beginning July 1, 2012. Contact your human resource office for more information. The Code of Virginia
prohibits members from borrowing from their member contribution accounts.
Membership Date
Membership is based on the date you are first reported to VRS in a covered position. If you have previous VRS service but took a refund, your membership is the date you return to covered employment.
Non-Covered Non-covered employment is a part-time position with a VRS-participating employer. Non-covered positions do not
Employmentprovide eligibility for benefits. Part-time positions typically require 80 percent or less of the hours of comparable
full-time permanent positions. Some full-time positions may be considered non-covered if they are temporary
and require 80 percent or less of the hours per year that would be considered full-time and permanent for that
position. Note that some part-time permanent salaried state positions are covered under VRS.
Normal Normal retirement age under the VRS Plan 2 is your normal Social Security retirement age.
Retirement Age
Order of If there is no valid beneficiary designation on file or your beneficiary is deceased at the time of your death, VRS is
Precedencerequired by law to pay benefits according to an order of precedence. You designate a beneficiary on the Designation
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of Beneficiary (VRS-2). You can elect the order of precedence on the VRS-2 instead of naming a beneficiary.
Part-Time Part-time employment is typically 80 percent or less of full-time employment. Employers, not VRS, classify
Employment
positions as full time or part time and define the hours applicable to each classification.
Partial Lump-Sum The Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment (PLOP) is one of the benefit payout options available at retirement.
Option Payment You may elect a PLOP if you work at least one year beyond the date you first become eligible for an unreduced
(PLOP)retirement benefit. You can choose an amount equal to one, two or three times your annual retirement benefit
amount, depending on how long you work beyond your unreduced retirement eligibility date. This option is paid
from your member contribution account and reduces your monthly benefit.
Plan 1You are covered under Plan 1 if your membership date is prior to July 1, 2010, and you were vested before
January 1, 2013, and have not taken a refund. You are covered under Optional Retirement Plan 1 if you have an
ORP membership date before July 1, 2010. If you have a pre-July 1, 2010, ORP account balance and moved to
a defined benefit plan, you must have any combination of VRS creditable service and/or ORP participation that
totals five years as of January 1, 2013, to be considered a Plan 1 member.
Plan 2You are covered under Plan 2 if your membership date is from July 1, 2010, to December 31, 2013, and you have
not taken a refund. Additionally, you are covered under Plan 2 if you have a membership date prior to July 1,
2010, but you were not vested before January 1, 2013. You are covered under Optional Retirement Plan 2 if you
have an ORP membership date after July 1, 2010. If you are a member of VaLORS or SPORS, or an employee of
a political subdivision that covers you with enhanced hazardous duty benefits or the hazardous duty alternate
option under VRS and were hired on or after July 1, 2010, you are in Plan 2, even if your membership date is after
December 31, 2013.
Plan ProvisionsPlan provisions are the requirements that govern the plans or programs under which you are covered based on
your current position of employment.
PortabilityPortability means transferring the value of your retirement assets from a previous employer with which VRS
has a portability agreement to a VRS-participating employer, through the purchase of VRS creditable service, in
order to consolidate your retirement benefits. Currently, VRS has portability agreements with the following public
employers: City of Charlottesville, City of Danville, City of Newport News, City of Norfolk, City of Richmond,
City of Roanoke and County of Fairfax.
Power of Under a power of attorney, you can name an individual as your agent to take actions on your behalf and in
Attorneyaccordance with your wishes, if you no longer can take care of your own affairs. To name an agent for VRS
matters, submit a VRS Durable Power of Attorney (VRS-901).
Prior Service Eligible prior service includes federal and other public service, active duty military service, certain types of leave
Creditand VRS refunded service. If you have prior service, you may be eligible to purchase this service as credit in your
plan. Prior service credit counts toward vesting, eligibility for retirement and eligibility for the health insurance
credit, if offered by your employer.
RefundA refund is a lump-sum payment of your member contribution account balance. If you leave covered employment,
you can request a refund. You will receive a full or partial refund based on whether or not you are vested or
involuntarily separated from employment for causes other than job performance or misconduct. Taking a refund
Required
If you participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, a required minimum
Minimum distribution will begin if you have not arranged to receive payments from your account by age 70½ or when you
Distribution
leave a position with an employer providing the plan, whichever is later.
Retiree
You are a retiree if you are no longer employed in a covered position and are receiving a monthly retirement
benefit from VRS.
Retirement Under the VRS Plan 2, you are eligible for a reduced benefit beginning at age 60 with at least five years of
Benefit-Reduced
creditable service.
8 3 | CH 15 • VIRGINIA RE TIREMENT SYSTEM PL A N 2
cancels your membership and eligibility for any future benefits.
Retirement Under the VRS Plan 2, you are eligible for an unreduced benefit when you reach your normal Social Security
Benefit-Unreduced retirement age and have at least five years of service credit or when your age and service credit equal at least 90.
Example: Age 60 with 30 years of creditable service.
Retirement Date
The effective date of retirement is the first of the month.
Retirement Under the VRS Plan 2, the retirement multiplier for service retirement is 1.65 percent on service earned, purchased
Multiplier
or granted on or after January 1, 2013, and 1.7 percent on service earned, purchased or granted before January 1,
2013. If you are eligible to be considered for disability retirement and retire on disability, the retirement multiplier
will be 1.65 percent on all creditable service, regardless of when it was earned, purchased or granted.
RolloverA rollover is a contribution of a pre-tax lump-sum payment, such as a refund or a Partial Lump-Sum Option
Payment (PLOP), to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or another qualified plan. A rollover allows you to
defer income taxes until you withdraw the money from your plan.
Service Retirement
Service retirement is another term for regular retirement.
Survivor OptionThe Survivor Option is one of the benefit payout options available at retirement. Under the Survivor Option, you
elect to continue a monthly benefit to a survivor upon your death. This option reduces your monthly benefit. You
can name any living person as your survivor; you also can name more than one survivor.
VestingYou become vested when you have at least five years (60 months) of creditable service. Vesting is the minimum
length of service needed to qualify for a retirement benefit, if you meet the age and service requirements
for your plan, or to receive any contributions made by your employer to your member contribution account after
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July 1, 2010, should you leave covered employment and request a refund.
Want to learn more about your VRS benefits? – Meet with a counselor at the VRS Retirement Counseling
Center at 1111 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Sessions are held on a first-come, first-served basis
with limited scheduled appointments available. The hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Go to www.varetire.org for directions to the center and the parking deck; the first hour of parking is free.
Also, take advantage of free member education opportunities. Schedules and registration are available on the
VRS website; select Education & Counseling from the Members homepage. For Deferred Compensation Plan
Regional Education Meetings, select the Defined Contribution Plans tab.
Plan 2
VRS
Virginia Retirement System • 1200 East Main Street • P.O. Box 2500 • Richmond, VA 23218-2500
www.varetire.org • 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847) • TDD: 804-289-5919
©Virginia Retirement System
VRSHB-2 03-2017